A nationwide bank strike alert has been issued in India for Thursday, February 12, 2026, with several major bank unions planning industrial action that could affect regular banking services across the country. The action is part of a broader protest by bank employees and officers against proposed labour policy changes and long-standing workplace demands, but official announcements on closures vary.
What the Strike Call Is About
Leading bank unions, including the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) — all affiliated with larger central trade union movements — have called for participation in a one-day strike on February 12, 2026. The unions are protesting new labour codes and other policies they say weaken workers’ rights, and they are seeking improvements such as a five-day work week and better work-life balance for bank staff.
Finance sector organisations such as Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra and IDBI Bank have officially acknowledged receiving strike notices from employee associations and have informed stock exchanges about the situation, warning that operational disruptions could occur if the strike materialises.
The National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) has also expressed solidarity with the proposed one-day general strike, reinforcing union support for the action.
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Will Banks Be Closed or Open?
Neither the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nor the Ministry of Finance has declared February 12, 2026 as a bank holiday under the official holiday calendar, indicating that banks are not officially closed on that date.
Major public sector lenders such as the State Bank of India (SBI) have warned customers that banking operations may be impacted to a limited extent during the strike, even though branches are expected to remain open. SBI cautioned that routine services like cash counter operations, cheque clearances and customer support could face delays if staff shortages occur on the day of the strike.
Similarly, Bank of Baroda has said it will try to keep operations running smoothly, but that its branches and offices may experience interruptions if staff participate in the strike.
What Customers Should Expect
Based on official notices and past patterns in similar actions:
- Branch Services: Normal lobby services may be available, but staff shortages might cause delays in cash transactions, cheque processing, loan services and in-person assistance.
- Digital Banking: Online and mobile banking services, including internet banking, UPI payments and mobile app transfers, are expected to remain operational. ATMs should also function normally.
- Cheque Clearing and Settlement: Clearing processes may slow down if branch participation in the strike affects inward/outward clearing timelines. Customers planning urgent bank visits are advised to complete them before February 12.
Local variations may occur, and branches in different regions could be affected differently depending on staff participation.
Why the Protest Matters
Bank employees and officers have raised long-standing concerns over:
- Proposed changes under new labour codes, which unions say dilute workers’ protections;
- Lack of a uniform five-day work week in the banking sector;
- Demands for better working conditions and stronger collective bargaining rights.
The strike call for February 12 is part of a broader general strike movement supported by central trade unions across multiple sectors, which could also affect schools, government offices and transport services in some states — though the extent of closures depends on regional participation and protest activity.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
