SBI branches may stay closed May 23–28 amid staff strike, Eid

SBI branches across the country are likely to remain closed for up to six consecutive days from May 23 to May 28 as a convergence of weekend rules, a proposed two-day staff strike and Reserve Bank of India-declared Bakrid holidays disrupt normal branch services, officials and employee groups said on Friday.

What’s happening
According to bank sources and union notices, May 23 falls on the fourth Saturday of the month and is already a scheduled banking holiday, while May 24 is Sunday. The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has announced a two-day strike on May 25–26, aimed at pressuring management to address 16 demands. RBI has additionally declared holiday(s) for Bakrid on May 27 and in some regions on May 28, which means many SBI branches could remain shut through the latter half of next week.

Operations affected
Local branch staff and customers in New Delhi and several state capitals said branch counters will be unavailable for routine cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook printing and on-counter services through the period. “Customers should complete branch-related work by end of day on May 22,” a senior bank official advised, requesting anonymity. Automated services such as ATMs, YONO and digital banking platforms including NEFT, RTGS and IMPS are expected to operate normally, officials added.

Union demands
The AISBISF has listed 16 demands prompting the strike. Key items include immediate recruitment for vacant Class IV (messenger) posts, adequate armed guards, a ban on permanent outsourcing of bank functions, fixes to the HRMS software, improvements to the medical reimbursement scheme and restoration of a workmen-category director on the bank’s board. The union has also asked for parity in pay and conditions, review of the career progression scheme, inclusion of all allowances in pension calculations for certain retirees, and an end to aggressive cross-selling practices.

Why it matters
Most routine counter services will be suspended while cheque clearing, cash-counter operations and passbook updates are likely to slow or pause. “Since this is a workmen-category action, front-line operations will be hit,” a union office-bearer told reporters. Customers relying on branch-only services — large cash deposits, demand drafts, tax challan deposits or new account openings — will have to postpone those transactions or use alternate arrangements.

Ground reality
On Friday morning, queues at several major ATMs in Mumbai’s central business district and in Bhopal were longer than usual as customers withdrew cash ahead of the weekend. Bank staff at a suburban Delhi branch said they had informed regular customers about limited services and posted notices at branch entrances. In Jammu and Kashmir, where RBI has specified both May 27 and 28 as holidays, the impact is expected to be deeper.

Official inputs
SBI’s corporate communications office said it was “monitoring the situation” and urged customers to use digital channels. RBI’s holiday calendar, which sets regional festival holidays, has already listed Bakrid observances for late May, and state-level variations mean some branches will see different combinations of holidays.

Customer advice
Officials recommend customers plan urgent branch visits before the close of business on May 22, use YONO or internet banking for transfers and enquiries, and verify ATM availability for cash needs. Businesses that rely on cheque clearing or on-counter services should notify clients and plan for processing delays.

Possible next steps
Union leaders have said the strike is a show of strength to start bargaining; talks may follow if management engages. The bank has not announced contingency staffing or special arrangements beyond digital services. Observers say the confluence of scheduled weekend closures, holidays and industrial action makes short-notice recovery difficult, and normalisation could take time once staff return.

What to watch
Watch for any last-minute climb-downs from the union, management statements on contingency measures, or RBI circulars clarifying regional holiday observance. Customers should keep an eye on SBI’s website and official social handles for real-time updates.