India Bank Shutdown: Public Banks Open Sunday as ATM Fees Are Waived.
Dubai: UAE residents who plan to send money to India or depend on Indian banking services should be aware of special measures being introduced ahead of the three-day bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30.
Public-sector banks and regional rural banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the planned industrial action. Several public-sector lenders have also announced that ATM charges will be temporarily waived during the strike period to help customers access essential banking services.
For UAE residents with banking needs in India, these arrangements offer an additional window to complete urgent transactions before the strike begins. However, customers should note that Sunday operations may not apply to every Indian bank. UAE-to-India remittance services are also not expected to automatically come to a halt if the strike proceeds.
What customers should know
Public-sector banks open on Sunday: Public-sector banks and regional rural banks are scheduled to operate on September 27, giving customers an additional day to carry out essential banking transactions.
ATM charges waived: Several public-sector banks will temporarily waive fees on ATM transactions that exceed the usual number of free withdrawals between September 28 and 30.
Access to ATMs: The temporary waiver is designed to help customers withdraw cash without being restricted by the standard monthly limit on free ATM transactions.
Digital banking to continue: Services including UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs are expected to remain available for routine transactions during the strike period.
Government payments advanced: September salaries and wages for central government employees, along with pension payments, have been permitted to be disbursed earlier than usual.
Half-yearly closing: September 30 also marks the banking sector’s half-yearly closing, which could add to the workload at banks during the period.
For UAE residents: Those transferring money to India may want to allow additional time for transactions that require processing or verification by the recipient bank.
Are all banks open on Sunday, September 27?
Public-sector banks and regional rural banks (RRBs) are scheduled to operate on Sunday, September 27.
The additional working day comes as the proposed strike immediately follows the September 26–27 weekend, which could otherwise result in a longer interruption to branch-based banking services.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved operations at bank branches and offices, as well as ATM-linked branches and currency chests, on September 27.
Customers are advised to check the latest information from their respective banks before visiting a branch, particularly those who bank with private-sector lenders.
Why are PSU banks opening on Sunday?
Opening public-sector bank branches on Sunday is intended to give customers an additional opportunity to complete essential banking transactions before the proposed strike begins on September 28.
Customers who need assistance from branch staff can use the extra working day to complete transactions and other banking formalities instead of waiting until after the strike period.
What about private banks?
Private-sector banks are not participating in the UFBU strike.
However, their Sunday operating arrangements may vary. Customers should therefore check their bank’s official website, mobile app, customer-care service or branch advisory before making a trip.
This distinction is particularly relevant for UAE residents who depend on relatives or representatives in India to carry out transactions that require an in-person branch visit.
SBI branches to remain open
State Bank of India (SBI) has confirmed that its branches will remain open on Sunday, September 27, giving customers an additional opportunity to complete their banking needs before the strike.
SBI has also encouraged customers to rely on its digital and self-service banking channels for everyday transactions. These include ATMs, Automated Deposit-cum-Withdrawal Machines, YONO, internet banking, mobile banking and UPI.
Will ATMs and digital banking work?
The proposed strike is expected to primarily affect services that require customers to visit bank branches or depend on branch staff.
ATMs, UPI, internet banking and mobile banking are expected to continue operating, although availability may vary depending on individual banks and their services.
Public-sector banks and regional rural banks have also announced a temporary waiver of ATM transaction charges during the September 28–30 strike period. Indian Bank, for instance, said its customers would be able to use ATMs operated by other banks without incurring charges from September 26 to 30.
What does the strike mean for UAE-India remittances?
For UAE residents, an important concern is whether the proposed strike could affect money transfers to India.
A bank strike in India does not necessarily mean UAE-to-India remittance services will stop. As Gulf News previously reported, a UAE exchange house said its remittance services were not expected to be disrupted by the planned industrial action.
However, some transfers could take longer to reach recipients if they require manual processing, verification or other action by employees at the receiving bank in India during the strike.
UAE residents making time-sensitive payments should therefore check the estimated delivery time provided by their bank or exchange house and confirm when the money is expected to be credited to the recipient’s account in India.
What UAE residents should do
Sending money to India? Check the estimated credit time before making the transfer and allow extra time if the transaction requires processing by the receiving bank in India.
Need branch services in India? Customers of public-sector banks or regional rural banks (RRBs) can use September 27 as an additional working day to complete essential transactions before the strike.
Banking with a private-sector lender? Do not assume branches will operate on Sunday. Customers should check their bank’s official schedule before visiting.
Need to withdraw cash? ATMs are expected to remain available, while several public-sector banks have announced temporary waivers on ATM transaction charges during the strike period.
Have urgent banking work? Where possible, complete important transactions before September 28 rather than leaving them until the three-day strike begins.
Why are banks striking?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called the three-day strike over a range of employee-related demands, including the implementation of a five-day banking week and other outstanding issues.
The government and bank managements have urged the unions to defer the industrial action. As of September 26, however, the strike remains scheduled to take place from September 28 to 30.
UAE takeaway
For UAE residents with banking needs in India, September 27 provides an additional opportunity to access public-sector banks and regional rural banks before the proposed strike.
However, the arrangement should not be interpreted as a nationwide Sunday opening for all banks. Customers, particularly those using private-sector lenders, should verify their bank’s operating schedule before making plans.
UAE-to-India remittances are expected to continue despite the proposed bank strike, although transfers requiring processing by the receiving bank may face delays. Residents are advised to check estimated delivery times with their bank or exchange house and complete urgent transactions in advance.
