The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to go ahead with the one-day nationwide bank strike on 27 January, 2026, to press its demand for introduction of 5-days banking and declaring the remaining two Saturdays as holidays.
Banking services in 12 public sector banks and a few old generation private sector banks could be affected next Tuesday. It may be pertinent to mention here that banks are closed for three days on the trot beginning today.
January 24 is a holiday for banks as it is a fourth Saturday. January 25 is a Sunday. Banks are closed on January 26 for Republic Day.
There are nine constituent unions/associations in UFBU — All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officers Confederation, National Confederation of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers Association, Bank Employees Federation of India, Indian National Bank Employees Congress, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, National Organisation of Bank Workers and National Organisation of Bank Officers.
State Bank of India, in a regulatory filing, said, “We have been advised by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) that United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU)… have served a notice, informing their decision to go on a Nationwide Bank Strike from midnight of 26th January 2026 to the midnight of 27th January, 2026.”
“In this connection, we advise that while the Bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the day of strike, it is likely that work in the Bank may be impacted by the Strike.“
Bank of Baroda, in its regulatory filing, said, “The Bank is taking all the necessary steps for smooth functioning of Bank’s branches and Offices on the day of Strike, in the event the strike materialises, the functioning of the branches and offices may be affected.”
Similarly, Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India and Karur Vysya Bank have informed the exchanges about the impending strike by the unions.
CH Venkatachalam, General Secretary, AIBEA, said, “There would be no loss of manhours (by declaring all Saturdays as holiday for Banks) as we (UFBU) have agreed for extra 40 minutes working per day from Monday to Friday. Already RBI, LIC, GIC etc are working for 5 days a week.”
“Foreign exchange market, money market, stock exchanges etc are not working on Saturdays. Central and State Government offices are not working on Saturdays. Hence, there is no reason why banks cannot introduce 5 day banking.”
Published on January 24, 2026
