Indian Banks to Remain Closed for Four Consecutive Days from January 24 to 27, 2026 Due to Holidays and Strike

Indian banks will remain shut for four consecutive days from January 24 to January 27, 2026, causing a temporary disruption in branch-based banking services across the country. The extended closure is due to a combination of regular holidays and a nationwide bank strike, making this an important update for account holders to plan ahead.

This four-day shutdown will impact public sector banks in particular, while digital banking services are expected to continue without interruption.

Why Are Banks Closed for Four Straight Days?

The reason behind the continuous closure is a rare overlap of scheduled holidays and industrial action:

• January 24 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – regular bank holiday
• January 25 (Sunday): Weekly holiday
• January 26 (Monday): Republic Day – national holiday
• January 27 (Tuesday): Nationwide bank strike

Together, these dates result in Indian banks being closed for four days in a row.

Nationwide Bank Strike on January 27

The one-day strike on January 27, 2026, has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The protest is centered on long-pending demands related to the five-day working system for banks.

Union leaders clarified that the strike itself is only for one day, but when combined with existing holidays, it creates a prolonged closure for customers.

Five-Day Working Demand Explained

Bank unions have been demanding a structured five-day work week for several years. According to union representatives:

• In 2015, banks introduced holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays each month.
• Other Saturdays continued as working days.
• In 2023, unions and bank management discussed a proposal to make all Saturdays holidays by extending daily working hours by 40 minutes.
• This proposal was forwarded to the government but remains pending, triggering fresh dissatisfaction among employees.

The January 27 strike is a renewed push to expedite a decision on this issue.

How Will Customers Be Affected?

Union leaders argue that more than 98 percent of banking transactions are now digital, meaning online services should function normally. However, the impact will still be felt by customers who depend on physical branches for:

• Cash withdrawals
• Cheque deposits and clearance
• Branch-based customer services
• Documentation and account-related work

Customers are strongly advised to complete urgent banking tasks before January 24.

Digital Banking to Remain Operational

Despite branch closures, most digital services are expected to stay active, including:

• Internet and mobile banking
• UPI payments
• ATM services (subject to cash availability)

Still, customers should keep extra cash on hand to avoid inconvenience during the four-day shutdown.

In summary, the bank strike is only on January 27, but when combined with the weekend and Republic Day, Indian banks will be closed for four consecutive days from January 24 to 27, 2026.

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