Nationwide Bank Strike Today: Full List Of Affected Banks, Services, And Reasons Behind The Strike

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Many people must have woken up this morning to plan a quick bank visit only to realise that shutters were down or services were patchy. A nationwide bank strike is underway today, January 27, 2026, and it's affecting public sector banks across India. If you're wondering what's open, what's not, and why bank employees are striking, here's the breakdown.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

Why Banks Are On Strike Today

The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a collective body representing bank employees and officers from public sector banks.

At the centre of the protest is a long-standing demand: a five-day work week, with all Saturdays officially off. Union leaders say this was discussed and agreed upon earlier with banking authorities, but the implementation has been delayed. With talks failing to move forward, employees decided to take the protest route.

Which Banks Are Affected

The strike mainly impacts public sector banks. This includes major names such as:

• State Bank of India (SBI)
• Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Bank of Baroda
• Canara Bank
• Other government-owned banks

Many branches are either fully closed or operating with skeletal staff, depending on location. Private banks, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and others, are not part of the strike and are largely functioning as usual.

What Banking Services Are Disrupted

If you were planning an in-branch visit, these services may be unavailable or delayed today:

• Cash deposits and withdrawals at branches
• Cheque deposits and clearances
• Passbook updates
• Account-related paperwork

That said, the disruption is mainly limited to physical branches.

What Still Works Today

• There's some relief if you rely on digital banking.
• UPI payments, mobile banking apps, and internet banking are working
• ATMs are operational, though cash availability may vary in some areas
• If cash is urgent, it's safer to check ATM status in advance or use private bank ATMs where possible.

What Customers Should Keep In Mind

• Avoid visiting public sector bank branches today unless absolutely necessary
• Use online banking and digital payment options
• Plan branch-related work for later this week
• If you have time-sensitive transactions, check with your bank's customer support or local branch before stepping out

Bank strikes aren't new, but they tend to hit hardest when they clash with everyday routines-salary withdrawals, bill payments, or urgent paperwork. For customers, today is mostly about adjusting plans. For bank employees, it's about pushing for predictable work schedules and long-promised changes.

The bank strike on January 27 reminds us how closely daily life is tied to public services. While digital banking has softened the impact, branch-dependent customers will still feel the disruption. For now, it's best to stay online, stay patient, and keep essential bank work lined up for the coming days once normal operations resume.