Banking operations were disrupted across Madhya Pradesh on Friday as around 42,000 bank employees from nearly 7,000 branches joined the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), demanding implementation of a five-day banking week.

Bank branches remained closed across the state, while employees held demonstrations, including protests in Bhopal. The strike affected routine branch-level services such as cash transactions, cheque handling and other physical banking work. A bank employees' organisation estimated that business worth nearly ₹5,500 crore was affected in Madhya Pradesh during the one-day strike.

The nationwide action has primarily been called over the demand to introduce a five-day work week, along with objections to the current Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) framework and several long-pending employee and pension-related issues.

Why Are Bank Employees on Strike?

The main demand of the unions is that all Saturdays should be declared holidays for bank employees, replacing the existing arrangement under which banks generally remain closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays.

The unions have argued that the five-day banking week should be implemented by adjusting working hours on weekdays. Under the proposal discussed by the unions, working time from Monday to Friday would increase by around 40 minutes each day to compensate for the additional Saturday holiday.

The demand has remained pending despite earlier discussions between employee unions and banking authorities. 

PLI Scheme Also a Major Point of Dispute

The UFBU has also raised objections to the Performance Linked Incentive scheme applicable to senior bank officers.

Bank unions have argued that the present arrangement could create differences between employees and disproportionately benefit a relatively small group of senior officials.

The unions are seeking changes to the scheme and have linked the issue to their broader concerns over service conditions and the direction of banking-sector reforms. 

Pension, Recruitment Issues Also Pending

The five-day week is not the only issue raised by bank unions.

Employee organisations have also been pressing for resolution of various pension-related demands, including pension updation and issues concerning benefits for pensioners.

They have additionally called for adequate recruitment of clerical staff, subordinate employees and security personnel, arguing that staff shortages are increasing the workload on existing employees.

Other demands reportedly include changes relating to dearness allowance and pension arrangements.

How Has the Strike Affected Customers?

The biggest immediate impact has been on branch-based banking services.

Customers requiring services such as cheque deposits, cheque processing, document submission, KYC-related work and other transactions that require physical interaction with a branch may face delays.

However, digital banking channels such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs generally remain available, although the availability of cash at individual ATMs can depend on local replenishment arrangements. 

Customers with urgent branch-related work have therefore been advised to plan transactions around the strike and subsequent holidays.

Bhopal Sees Employee Protests

In Bhopal, bank employees affiliated with the UFBU held demonstrations as part of the nationwide action.

Employees raised slogans in support of the five-day banking week and other pending demands. The protests added a visible local dimension to an industrial action taking place across the country.

The nationwide strike represents a coordinated effort by several bank employee and officer unions under the UFBU umbrella, which represents a large share of India's banking workforce. 

Another Bank Strike Planned in September

Friday's strike is not expected to be the last disruption this month.

Bank unions have announced another three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30 over the unresolved demands. 

The timing could make the next round particularly significant for banks because the period coincides with half-yearly closing-related work.

Unions have also warned of further industrial action if their demands remain unresolved.

What Happens Next?

The latest strike puts renewed pressure on the government and banking authorities to address the five-day work week demand and other issues raised by employees.

For bank customers, the immediate disruption is largely concentrated on physical branch services, while digital channels continue to provide alternatives for many routine transactions.

The larger dispute, however, is about how banking work should be organised as India's financial system becomes increasingly digital while branch employees continue to handle a substantial volume of customer-facing and regulatory work.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has given banking job aspirants additional time to apply for one of the country's largest recruitment drives. The application deadline for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) PO/MT-XVI Recruitment 2026 has been extended from July 21 to July 26, 2026, allowing more eligible candidates to complete the online registration process.

This recruitment drive is being conducted for 7,365 vacancies of Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) across participating public sector banks. The online application process began on July 1, 2026, and interested candidates can submit their applications through the official IBPS website before the revised closing date. The extension was announced through an official corrigendum issued by IBPS.

Candidates applying for the recruitment must possess a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university in India. The prescribed age limit is 20 to 30 years as on July 1, 2026, while candidates belonging to reserved categories will be eligible for age relaxation in accordance with Government of India rules.

The application fee has been fixed at ₹850 for candidates belonging to the General, OBC and EWS categories, whereas applicants from SC, ST and PwBD categories are required to pay ₹175. The fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card, internet banking, IMPS and other digital payment options.

According to the official schedule, the Preliminary Examination is expected to be held in August 2026, followed by the declaration of results in September. Candidates who qualify the prelims will appear for the Main Examination, tentatively scheduled for October 2026. The recruitment process will also include a Personality Test, Interview, and Final Allotment, which is expected in January 2027.

The selection process will be conducted in multiple stages to assess candidates' aptitude, reasoning ability, English language proficiency and overall suitability for the Probationary Officer role. Final selection will be based on candidates' performance in the Main Examination and Interview, subject to document verification and eligibility conditions.

IBPS has advised applicants to carefully read the detailed notification before filling out the online form. Candidates should ensure that they satisfy all eligibility conditions, upload the required documents in the prescribed format and complete the registration well before the last date to avoid last-minute technical issues.

The PO recruitment is considered one of the most competitive banking examinations in India, attracting lakhs of graduates every year. With more than 7,300 vacancies and an extended application window, this year's recruitment offers a significant opportunity for candidates seeking a career in the public sector banking industry.

Important Highlights

• Recruitment: IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI 2026
• Total Vacancies: 7,365
• Application Start: July 1, 2026
• Last Date (Extended): July 26, 2026
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline
• Age Limit: 20–30 years (as on July 1, 2026)
• Application Fee: ₹850 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹175 (SC/ST/PwBD)
• Selection Process: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Personality Test, Interview and Final Allotment
• Preliminary Exam: August 2026 (Tentative)

Nationwide Bank Strike Grinds Cash Transactions & Cheque Clearance to a Halt for 4th Day

For the fourth consecutive day, routine banking services across India have been severely disrupted due to a nationwide bank strike. Called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the strike has halted cash deposits, withdrawals, and cheque clearance in public sector banks, compounding the inconvenience caused by the weekend and Republic Day holidays.

The strike, which saw employees protesting in major financial hubs like Mumbai and New Delhi, centers on a long-pending demand: the formal implementation of a five-day workweek.

Why Banks Are on Strike: The Five-Day Week Demand

The core of the dispute dates back to an agreement in March 2024 between bank unions and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA). Unions agreed to work an extra 40 minutes daily in exchange for all Saturdays being declared holidays. While currently banks are shut on the second and fourth Saturdays, the formal government notification to make this a permanent five-day workweek has stalled.

"An agreement was reached, but the notification hasn't materialized. This strike is about honoring that commitment and ensuring a better work-life balance for employees," a UFBU representative stated.

Direct Impact on Your Daily Banking

The timing of the nationwide bank strike means many customers have faced limited access to essential services since Saturday. Here’s what is affected:

Cash Transactions & Branch Services: Over-the-counter cash deposits and withdrawals, new cheque book requests, KYC updates, and loan processing are halted.

Cheque Clearance Delayed: The clearance of cheques, which relies heavily on public sector bank operations, is disrupted. Expect delays of 2-3 days for cheques to be processed.

Potential ATM Cash-Outs: Following three previous non-working days, ATMs, particularly in smaller towns, may run dry. Replenishment is affected by the strike.

Loan Approvals & NOCs: Any urgent banking paperwork requiring branch approval will be postponed until operations resume.

What Services Are Still Working? Your Digital Lifeline

Amid the branch shutdowns, digital banking remains a reliable alternative. Experts urge customers to switch to online channels to minimize disruption.

"While physical branches are closed, the digital infrastructure of banks is fully operational. This is the moment to utilize UPI and mobile banking," advised Priya Sharma, a Mumbai-based financial analyst.

Here’s what you can still do:

UPI & Digital Wallets: Apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM UPI are functioning normally for payments and transfers.

Internet & Mobile Banking: All online transactions—including NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS fund transfers, bill payments, and balance enquiries—are unaffected.

Private Banks: Major private banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank are operating as usual, as they are not part of the UFBU.

ATMs (If Stocked): ATMs themselves are not shut down. Withdrawals can be made if the machine has been stocked prior to the strike period.

Looking Ahead

With no immediate resolution announced, the nationwide bank strike underscores the growing tension between traditional banking structures and employee demands for modernization. For the common citizen, it serves as a potent reminder of the resilience and necessity of digital payment ecosystems in keeping the economy moving, even when physical doors are closed.

Customers are advised to plan their cash needs, postpone cheque-based payments where possible, and leverage digital tools until the strike is called off and normal branch operations resume.