Bharat Bandh on February 12: What’s open, what’s closed, and full listing of affected providers

The Indian working class is getting ready for a nationwide normal strike on Thursday (February 12, 2026), supported by unions representing agricultural, rural, and casual staff.

This strike has been collectively organised by fourteen nationwide commerce unions, together with workers and academics from Central and State Civil Companies, staff’ teams from Central and State Public Sector Undertakings, and impartial commerce unions.

All India Commerce Union Congress Basic Secretary Amarjeet Kaur advised PTI that this time ”not lower than 30 crore staff will take part within the strike known as on February 12.” Final time on July 9, 2025, about 25 crore staff took half within the agitation.

Causes for the strike

The nationwide strike was known as by the commerce unions to demand the repeal of the 4 labour codes and withdrawal of a number of proposed and present insurance policies affecting staff and farmers.

Amongst their key calls for are the next:

1. Withdrawal of the Labour Codes

2. Restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Scheme (MGNREGS)

Additionally learn| Nationwide strike: college workers from Kerala to take part

3. Rollback of insurance policies perceived to weaken Civil Companies

4. Restoration of the outdated pension scheme

5. Withdrawal of the Nationwide Schooling Coverage (NEP) 2020

Farmers our bodies like Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) have additionally raised issues over the India-US interim commerce framework alleging that it might harm Indian farmers.

Impression on the States

Ms. Kaur said that the strike is predicted to have an effect on 600 districts throughout the nation, a rise from roughly 550 districts final yr, as reported by PTI. She talked about that Odisha and Assam can be fully shut down, and that different States will even expertise vital disruptions because of the protest.

Banking operations, transport providers, and authorities places of work in lots of areas could also be affected. Nonetheless, important providers akin to hospitals, ambulance providers, airports, medical amenities, personal places of work, and ATMs are exempt.

For faculties and faculties

There is no such thing as a official nationwide vacation for instructional establishments. Nonetheless, faculties and faculties in States like Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal are prone to shut as a result of sturdy native help for the strike. Dad and mom ought to test with native faculty authorities.

Nationwide normal strike on February 12 towards ‘anti-worker, anti-farmer insurance policies’

For transport

Commuters ought to brace themselves for potential street blockades, often called “chakka jam,” in varied areas. In areas closely impacted by protests, state-operated buses and auto-rickshaws might stop operations. Though prepare providers and flights are scheduled to run, accessing railway stations and airports might be troublesome as a result of native transportation disruptions.

For markets

Wholesale markets and retail shops in States with vital union exercise are prone to shut down.

For banks

Worker and officer organisations, together with the All India Financial institution Staff’ Affiliation (AIBEA), the All India Financial institution Officers’ Affiliation (AIBOA), and the Financial institution Staff Federation of India (BEFI), have come collectively to protest. Because of this, public banking providers could also be affected.

(with PTI inputs)