Customers of SBI, the country’s largest public sector bank, should complete all their important branch related work today (Friday, May 22). The reason for this is that SBI branches may remain closed for six consecutive days between May 23 and May 28, 2026. The main reasons for this include the weekend, the two-day strike proposed by the employees and two holidays declared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for Bakri Eid (Eid-ul-Azha). Below is a clear and comprehensive table detailing which SBI services will be affected and which will remain operational during this six-day closure:
List of affected and ongoing services
Even if bank branches remain closed, your financial transactions done through digital means will not be affected in any way.
Know why SBI branches may remain closed from May 23 to May 28
There are many different reasons for disruption in banking operations from May 23 to May 28.
**Weekend Holidays:** May 23rd is the fourth Saturday of the month, and May 24th is Sunday. As per the rules, all banks across the country observe a holiday on the second and fourth Saturday of every month; As a result, banks will remain closed during these two days.
**SBI Employees Strike:** All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has proposed a two-day nationwide strike on May 25 and 26 (Monday and Tuesday) to press ahead with their various demands. This step may have a direct impact on banking operations.
**Eid Holiday:** The festival of Eid will be celebrated on different dates in different states of India, for which RBI has fixed two holidays. In most parts of the country, SBI will remain closed on May 27 due to Bakri Eid, while in some areas there will be a holiday on May 28. Apart from this, banks in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed on both May 27 and May 28. Why do SBI employees want to go on strike?
All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has announced a strike to get its 16 demands met. This strike has been called to protect the rights of employees, ensure better working conditions and protect the interests of customers.
What will be the effect of the strike?
Since the strike involves the ‘working class’ (clerks and other employees), operations such as check clearing, cash counter services and passbook updates may come to a standstill.
16 main demands of SBI employees
**New Recruitment of Messenger:** Immediate and permanent recruitment should be made to fill the vacant posts of Class IV (Messenger) in the Bank.
**Recruitment of Armed Guards:** Adequate number of armed guards should be appointed to ensure security of the Bank and to meet the special needs of its branches.
**Facility of choice under NPS:** Employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) should be given the freedom to choose their ‘Pension Fund Manager’.
**Inter-Circle Transfer (ICT):** Employees recruited after 2019 should be given the opportunity to transfer to another circle.
**Ban on Outsourcing:** The practice of outsourcing works of permanent nature to external agencies should be stopped immediately.
**Recruitment of Adequate Staff:** In view of the increasing workload in all branches, adequate number of staff should be recruited.
**Issue of Equity:** Disparities in the prevailing wages and other benefits among employees in the State Bank system should be removed.
**Review of Career Progression Scheme:** The existing policies related to promotion and career development of employees should be changed.
**Benefits for retired employees:** Employees retired under the 10th bilateral agreement should get the benefit of ‘8th Stability Increment’.
**Consultation Fees:** The medical consultation fees applicable from July 15, 2024 should be reviewed and changed.
**Improvement in the Medical Scheme:** The Medical Reimbursement Scheme should be further improved and simplified. Inclusion of all allowances in pension: Under the 7th bilateral agreement, all components of pay should be included in the calculation of pension of retired employees.
**Solving HRMS Problems:** Technical glitches in the HR Software (HRMS) of the Bank should be fixed once and for all.
**Appointment of Employee Director:** The old tradition of appointing a Director from the ‘Employee’ category on the Board of the Bank should be revived. Nomination of PF Trustee: An employee representative must be appointed to the Provident Fund (PF) Trust.
Prevention of mis-selling: The practice of putting pressure on employees to sell wrong products to customers in the guise of ‘cross-selling’ (e.g. insurance, mutual funds etc.) should be stopped.
