Bank Strike Raises Question: Will Indian Banks Stay Closed on Saturdays?

A bank strike sweeping across India has created uncertainty about the operating schedule of commercial banks. The industrial action, involving employees of several major banks, has led to discussions on whether the traditional six‑day banking week will be altered.

The Economic Times reported the latest update, noting that banks are considering a five‑day workweek as a response to the strike. Under such a plan, Saturdays could be designated as non‑working days, aligning banking hours with the regular workweek of many other sectors.

If the proposal is adopted, customers may find branches closed on Saturdays, affecting routine transactions such as cash withdrawals, deposits, and cheque clearances. The banking sector is expected to issue formal guidelines in the coming days, pending negotiations with employee unions and regulatory authorities.