Customers of cooperative banks are unlikely to face major disruption during the three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30, 2026.
Leading cooperative banking bodies have clarified that cooperative banks are not participating in the proposed strike and are expected to continue their normal operations during the period.
Cooperative Banks Not Part Of Strike
The National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies, National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation, and National Federation of State Cooperative Banks have said their member institutions will remain operational.
The clarification comes as bank unions prepare for a three-day strike from September 28 to 30 over demands including a five-day banking week.
1,800-Plus Cooperative Banks Could Remain Operational
India’s cooperative banking network includes around 1,450 Urban Cooperative Banks, 34 State Cooperative Banks and 351 District Central Cooperative Banks.
Together, these institutions serve customers across urban, semi-urban and rural areas, including farmers, small businesses, traders and entrepreneurs.
Since cooperative banks are not participating in the proposed strike, customers can continue approaching their respective branches for banking services.
Deposits, Withdrawals And Remittances To Continue
Customers can continue using branch-based services offered by their cooperative banks during the strike.
These include deposits, withdrawals, remittances and other routine banking transactions, depending on the facilities provided by individual banks.
Agricultural and other credit-related services for eligible farmers and members are also expected to continue.
Urban cooperative banks will continue providing services to individuals, traders and small businesses.
UPI And Digital Banking To Work
Digital banking services are also expected to remain available wherever they are offered by individual cooperative banks.
Customers can continue using ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking and UPI services.
However, the availability of specific services can vary between banks, so customers have been advised to check with their individual cooperative bank, particularly for transactions requiring branch-level processing.
PSB Customers Face Greater Disruption
The situation is different for customers of public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks.
The United Forum of Bank Unions has called the three-day strike from September 28 to 30. The proposed action is expected to affect branch operations at participating banks.
The government has also arranged for Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to open on Sunday, September 27, giving customers an additional working day before the strike begins.
Why Are Bank Unions Striking?
The main demand behind the latest strike is the implementation of a five-day banking week.
The unions have also raised other employee-related issues, although the government has already announced that the Performance Linked Incentive scheme will remain in abeyance.
The strike also coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30, making the timing particularly significant for the financial sector.
Cooperative Bank Customers Can Plan Normally
For cooperative bank customers, the latest clarification means that most regular banking services should continue during the September 28-30 strike.
However, customers with important branch-dependent transactions should still confirm timings and service availability with their individual bank before visiting.
Summary
Cooperative banks across India are expected to remain open during the September 28-30 nationwide bank strike because their industry bodies have said they are not participating in the action. Deposits, withdrawals, remittances and credit services should continue. ATMs, UPI and digital banking are also expected to operate, although customers should confirm specific branch services with their individual cooperative bank.
