Bank Strike Today: Is SBI Open on Jan 27? Check Branch Status & Details

New Delhi, january 27, 2026: Banking operations across India, particularly at public sector lenders like the State Bank of India (SBI), are facing significant disruptions today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. While this is not an official “bank holiday” on the RBI calendar, a nationwide strike called by major bank unions has effectively brought many physical branch services to a standstill.

If you are planning to visit an SBI branch today, here is everything you need to know about the status of operations, the reason behind the strike, and how to manage your banking needs.

Is SBI Open or Closed Today?

Technically, SBI is not officially closed, but its operations are heavily impacted.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine major unions, has proceeded with a nationwide strike following failed conciliation talks with the government and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

• Public Sector Banks (SBI, PNB, BoB, etc.): Most branches are seeing thin attendance or complete closure of counters as employees and officers join the protest.
• Private Sector Banks (HDFC, ICICI, Axis): These are expected to function normally, as their employees are generally not part of the striking unions.

Why are Bank Employees Striking?

The primary demand of the UFBU is the immediate implementation of a five-day work week.

Currently, banks in India are closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. The unions are demanding that all Saturdays be declared as holidays. This proposal was reportedly agreed upon in principle during the 12th Bipartite Settlement in March 2024, but the final government notification has been pending for nearly two years.

To offset the loss of man-hours, the unions have proposed increasing daily working hours by 40 minutes from Monday to Friday.

Services Impacted vs. Services Available

The strike specifically targets physical, branch-level operations. If you need a service that requires a human interface, you will likely face delays.

Service Type	Status Today
Cash Deposits/Withdrawals	Heavily disrupted at branches
Cheque Clearance	Delayed due to clearing house impacts
Loan Processing	Likely stalled for the day
ATM Services	Operational (though some may run out of cash)
Internet & Mobile Banking	Fully Functional (YONO, UPI, NEFT, IMPS)
Private Bank Branches	Open

A Long Weekend of Disruptions

For many customers, this strike marks the fifth consecutive day of limited banking access. Because January 27 follows a string of holidays—Basant Panchami (Jan 23 in some states), Fourth Saturday (Jan 24), Sunday (Jan 25), and Republic Day (Jan 26)—the backlog of transactions and cheque clearances is expected to be substantial.

What should you do?

1. Use Digital Channels: For transfers and bill payments, rely on the SBI YONO app, Net Banking, or UPI.
2. ATM Cash: If you need cash, try to use ATMs early, as replenishment services may also be affected by the strike logistics.
3. Postpone Non-Urgent Visits: If you need to update a passbook, submit KYC documents, or discuss a loan, it is advisable to wait until Wednesday, January 28, when regular services are expected to resume.

Would you like me to help you find the nearest functional ATM or provide the customer care numbers for SBI digital support?