13th Bipartite Settlement - Key Charter Demands

1. Salary & Benefits

- 30–35% increase in pay slip components 

- Merger of Special Allowance with Basic Pay for better pension/retirement benefits

- 100% DA neutralization for inflation protection

- Transparent & uniform performance incentives

- Higher HRA & Transport Allowance especially for metro and semi-urban areas

2. Working Hours & Work-Life Balance

- Immediate 5-day banking in all PSBs

- Fixed working hours - no routine work beyond office hours

- Mandatory 45-minute lunch break for all staff

- Automatic EOD closure after business hours except in emergencies

3. Staffing & Workload

- Minimum staffing norm: 3 Officers + 3 Clerks per branch

- Immediate recruitment to fill all vacancies  

- Reduce non-banking work and unnecessary reporting

4. Transfers & Career Progression

- Transparent transfer policy with priority for spouse, medical, disability, compassionate grounds

- Posting within 30 km of hometown after specified service

- Time-bound promotions with adequate vacancies

- Extra benefits for CAIIB/JAIIB qualified - faster progression

5. Leave & Welfare

- Encashment of all unavailed leave at retirement

- Better medical insurance - cashless + higher coverage for staff & pensioners

- Mental health counselling and stress management support

- Education assistance for employees' children

6. Safety & Technology

- Zero tolerance for abuse/assault on bank staff with legal protection

- Better cybersecurity & digital infra to reduce operational load

- AI-based automation for repetitive tasks to focus on customer service

7. Pension & Retirement

- Pension updation for retirees

- Improved family pension and post-retirement medical benefits

- Enhanced gratuity & superannuation in line with inflation

8. Other Key Demands

- Overtime pay / Compensatory off for work beyond hours

- Uniform leave rules l across all PSBs

- Realistic business targets that don’t compromise well-being

- Regular consultation with unions before major policy changes

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The government orders PSU Banks finish the 13th BPS Wage Revision on schedule

The Indian government's Ministry of Finance has issued a formal letter instructing public sector banks to finish the 13th BPS on schedule. The 10th Joint Note and 13th Bi-partite Settlement for Public Sector Bank employees' wage revision is set to go into effect on November 1st, 2027.

The wage revision settlements were previously signed every two to three years. However, the 12th Bi-partite Settlement (also known as the 9th Joint Note) was completed in just 14 months. The government hopes to finish the settlement on schedule this year.

This year, public sector banks have been advised to finish the negotiations within a maximum of 12 months.

According to the government, it has been noted that in the past, significant changes to the relevant regulations have been made after a significant amount of time had passed since the settlements.

It is emphasized that the consequential changes to the pertinent regulations should also be finished before the next wage settlement's due date, since talks for the settlement are now being started in a timely manner.

It usually takes three to four months to implement consequential changes to the regulations. As a result, it is recommended that the banks start the process of amending the pertinent regulations as soon as the negotiations are concluded. This will ensure that the amendment procedures are finished well in advance of the next wage settlement's scheduled start date, which is November 1, 2027.

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