5 Days Working in Banks : This is important news for bank employees and customers. Bank employees have been expecting 5 days working in banks for a long time. Now the government has made an important announcement regarding 5 days working in banks.
The government said this
The government has made it clear that no final decision has been taken yet regarding 5-day working in banks. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 28 July 2025, the Finance Ministry informed that the Indian Banks Association (IBA) has proposed to declare all Saturdays as banking holidays, but it is currently under consideration.
What is the demand?
The All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) has proposed that banks should be closed on all Saturdays. They say that this step is necessary for productivity, efficiency, well-being of employees and an ethical work culture.
What is the system at the moment?
Currently, Public Sector Banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, whereas the banks remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays.
What questions were asked in the Lok Sabha?
Congress MP KC Venugopal had asked the government that…
1. Has the government taken any action on IBA’s proposal?
2. Is the government considering implementing this proposal?
3. Is this proposal pending due to lack of staff?
4. How is the government addressing the staff shortage?
5. Has any timeline been set for implementing this proposal?
What was the government’s response?
The Finance Ministry replied that the IBA has proposed to the government to declare all Saturdays as holidays. However, the second and fourth Saturdays of every month were declared holidays only after the 10th bilateral agreement in 2015. The ministry also said that all public sector banks are commercial institutions governed by a board. Every bank recruits staff according to its needs.
Is there a staff shortage?
According to the government, 96% of the staff is available in public sector banks till 31 March 2025. Whatever little shortage there is, it is due to retirement, transfer and other reasons, which the bank fulfills from time to time. The government made it clear that the proposal is under consideration, but did not say when it will be implemented.
