The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has called an important meeting following the announcement of a three-day bank strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026 by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and other bank unions and associations.
The meeting has been scheduled to discuss arrangements for maintaining banking services during the proposed strike period. The official meeting notice was issued on September 18, 2026.
Bank Unions Have Called a Three-Day Strike
According to the Finance Ministry’s notice, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and other unions and associations issued a notice dated August 26, 2026, calling for a three-day strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026.
The unions have raised several demands. One of the demands specifically mentioned in the government notice is the introduction of a five-day work week in the banking industry.
The proposed strike is therefore expected to affect banking operations if it goes ahead as announced.
Finance Ministry Calls Meeting on September 21
In view of the proposed strike, the Department of Financial Services has scheduled a meeting under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Financial Services).
The meeting will be held on September 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The notice specifies that the meeting will discuss steps required to ensure that banking operations and essential customer services continue during the strike period.
This meeting will take place one week before the proposed three-day strike.
Who Will Attend the Meeting?
The meeting notice has been sent to senior officials and heads of major banking institutions and organisations.
The following officials have been asked to attend:
- Chairman, State Bank of India
- Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all Nationalised Banks
- Chief Executive of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
- Chairman of NABARD
- Chairmen of all Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
The participants have also been given the option to attend the meeting through video conferencing.
Main Purpose of the Meeting
The main purpose of the meeting is not stated as a negotiation on the five-day work week in the notice. Instead, the notice says that the meeting has been called to discuss measures for ensuring the continuity of banking operations and essential customer services during the proposed strike period.
This means the government is focusing on making arrangements so that important banking services can continue during the three-day strike.
