Let “Banking for Youth” Begin with Justice for Young Bankers

Implement Five-Day Banking from 2 October 2026

To:
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
Hon’ble Union Minister of Finance
Government of India

Our appeal

We, the undersigned citizens, bank customers, employees, officers, families of bankers and well-wishers of India’s banking system, respectfully appeal to the Union Government to implement a five-day working week in banks and issue the necessary notification declaring all Saturdays as bank holidays.

We further appeal that this decision be announced on 2 October 2026, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and the commencement of the Government’s proposed “Banking for Youth” campaign.

Recognise the youth already serving Indian banking

India’s youth will be the principal stakeholders in the national mission of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Government’s efforts to encourage young people to participate in banking and economic development are therefore welcome.

At the same time, the aspirations of the lakhs of young employees and officers already serving India’s banking system must also be recognised.

A substantial majority of employees and officers in public-sector banks belong to the younger generation. They are qualified, technology-oriented and committed professionals who carry the responsibility of implementing the Government’s financial, developmental and social-security programmes.

A campaign intended to attract youth towards banking must also improve the working conditions, wellbeing and work–life balance of the youth already working in banks.

Young bankers are partners in national development

Bank employees and officers have played an indispensable role in implementing:

- Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana;
- Direct Benefit Transfer;
- Aadhaar seeding and RuPay cards;
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana;
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana;
- Atal Pension Yojana;
- MUDRA loans;
- PM SVANidhi;
- agricultural credit and crop-insurance schemes; and
- various welfare and financial-inclusion programmes.

They served the nation during demonetisation and continued providing essential banking services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, often at considerable personal risk.

India’s progress in financial inclusion, digital banking and the direct transfer of public benefits would not have been possible without their dedication.

Why five-day banking is necessary

Young bankers today face acute staff shortages, excessive workloads, extended working hours, aggressive targets and growing occupational stress. Many work far away from their families and support systems.

These conditions affect employee health, family life, morale, customer service and institutional efficiency. They also make banking less attractive as a long-term career for talented young people.

A five-day working week would:

- provide a healthier work–life balance;
- reduce occupational stress;
- improve morale, productivity and efficiency;
- help banks attract and retain young talent;
- strengthen customer service through a rested and motivated workforce; and
- align mainstream banking with other major financial and public institutions.

The understanding has already been reached

The understanding on five-day banking formed part of the negotiated package concluded on 8 March 2024, when the 12th Bipartite Settlement and the 9th Joint Note were signed.

The proposal provides for a suitable extension of daily working hours from Monday to Friday. It does not seek a reduction in the total agreed working hours.

The Indian Banks’ Association recommended that all Saturdays be declared holidays for banks under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The necessary Government notification is still awaited.

More than two and a half years have passed. The issue now deserves a positive and time-bound decision.

Banking services will remain accessible

Modern banking is no longer confined to physical branches. Customers have continued access to:

- UPI and other digital-payment platforms;
- mobile and internet banking;
- ATMs and cash-recycling machines;
- NEFT and RTGS;
- Business Correspondents and Customer Service Points; and
- other technology-enabled services.

With suitable operational planning, five-day branch working can be implemented without depriving customers of essential banking facilities.

The Reserve Bank of India, financial-sector regulatory institutions, insurance establishments, Central and State Government offices and much of the organised financial sector already follow a five-day working week.

Bank employees deserve the same reasonable and contemporary working arrangement.

Our demands

We respectfully call upon the Union Government and the Ministry of Finance to:

1. Approve and implement the understanding on five-day banking without further delay;

2. Issue the necessary notification declaring all Saturdays as bank holidays;

3. Announce its implementation on 2 October 2026 as part of the “Banking for Youth” campaign;

4. Review staff shortages, excessive workloads and occupational stress in public-sector banks; and

5. Develop a humane and forward-looking employment policy that makes banking an attractive, dignified and sustainable career for India’s youth.

Sign and support this petition

The young employees and officers working in banks are the architects of financial inclusion, implementers of public policy and indispensable partners in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

They have contributed immensely to the success of the country’s banking and development programmes. Their legitimate aspiration for a better work–life balance deserves sympathetic and timely consideration.

We urge every bank employee, officer, customer, family member and concerned citizen to sign and share this petition.

Let “Banking for Youth” begin by recognising the youth already serving Indian banking.

Implement Five-Day Banking.

Issue the Notification on 2 October 2026.

Petition initiated by:
Banking Education, Training and Research Academy (BETRA)
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Devidas Tuljapurkar
Chairman, BETRA