Central Govt Employees to Receive Salaries on September 25th in view of Banks Strike

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at preventing month-end financial disruptions for millions of personnel, the Government of India issued a circular directing the advance disbursement of September salaries, wages, and pensions on Friday, September 25. The decision comes in response to a proposed three-day nationwide strike called by bank unions from September 28 to September 30.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Expenditure, central government offices—including Defence, Posts, and Telecommunications—have been instructed to process and release all payroll and pension payments ahead of the scheduled strike. “In view of a three-day nationwide bank strike proposed from September 28–30, 2026, and the likelihood of disruption in banking transactions, the Government has decided that the salary, wages, and pensions of all Central Government employees may be drawn and disbursed on September 25, 2026” office memorandum from ministry of finance said.

The early release applies to all Central Government civilian staff, industrial employees, defence personnel, postal and telecommunication workers, and central pensioners.

The early payment will be treated as an advance. Any final payroll adjustments will be reconciled and deducted without exception from the October 2026 salary cycle.

Ministries and departments have been advised to process high-priority end-of-quarter vendor payments and administrative clearances in advance where feasible.

To alleviate customer rush prior to the strike, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a directive allowing all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to remain fully operational on Sunday, September 27.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing major banking staff associations, called for the three-day industrial action primarily to push for a five-day workweek for bank employees. Because the strike coincides with the end of the third quarter (Q2 FY27), the Ministry of Finance requested the Reserve Bank of India to coordinate with paying bank branches to ensure smooth clearing of electronic funds and ATM availability prior to the strike window.