Bank Strike Alert: Banks May Remain Shut for 4 Days Nationwide — Check State-Wise Holiday and Strike Details

Banks across India may remain closed for four consecutive days later this month as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a nationwide strike scheduled for January 27, 2026, to protest the delayed implementation of a five-day work week in the banking sector.

According to the UFBU, the demand for a five-day working week has been pending for nearly two years, despite repeated assurances from the Indian Bankers’ Association (IBA) and the central government.

4-Day Bank Closure Likely Across India

If the strike proceeds as announced on January 27, banks will remain closed for four straight days due to a combination of weekends and a national holiday:

• January 24, 2026 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Bank Holiday
• January 25, 2026 (Sunday): Weekly Holiday
• January 26, 2026 (Monday): Republic Day – National Holiday
• January 27, 2026 (Tuesday): Proposed All-India Bank Strike

This closure may impact banking services including cheque clearances, branch transactions, and administrative activities. ATM and online banking services are expected to remain functional.

Bank Holiday Today in 3 States

Separately, banks are already closed today — Thursday, January 23, 2026 — in Tripura, Odisha, and West Bengal due to regional observances such as:

• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
• Saraswati Puja / Basanta Panchami
• Vir Surendrasai Jayanti

In these three states, if the strike is held on January 27, banks will experience a five-day consecutive closure from January 23 to January 27.

Why UFBU Has Called the Strike

UFBU represents nine major bank unions covering employees of public sector banks and select old private banks. The unions have been pushing for a five-day work week from Monday to Friday.

Key points raised by UFBU include:

• In 2015, the IBA agreed to declare second and fourth Saturdays as holidays, but government notifications were delayed.
• In February 2023, UFBU agreed to extend daily working hours by 40 minutes from Monday to Friday in exchange for making all Saturdays holidays.
• The proposal was forwarded to the government for approval and has been pending for nearly two years.

UFBU stated that although it previously postponed its January 27 strike, the “inordinate delay” has compelled it to reinstate the strike call. The forum has directed all member unions to participate in the All-India Strike on January 27, 2026.

Impact on Customers & Banking Services

Customers are advised to:

• Complete branch-related work before the holiday sequence begins.
• Rely on ATM, UPI, mobile banking and net banking for essential transactions.
• Avoid scheduling cheque clearances or time-bound banking tasks during the affected period.