AIBOA Urges Union Bank to Revise Transfer Policy Before Promotions

The All India Union Bank Officer Staff Association (AIBOA) has written to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of India, urging an immediate revision of the officer transfer policy before the bank starts its 2025–26 promotion process. The union highlighted that the present policy has not been updated in accordance with the court’s orders and that many officers are being transferred unfairly, often facing linguistic and cultural challenges.

In its letter dated 23 October 2025, signed by General Secretary G.S. Ganesan, AIBOA pointed out that the bank’s promotion process for the year 2025–26 requires the submission of applications from eligible officers by 21 October. However, despite several court directives, the transfer policy remains unchanged, which, according to the union, is causing distress and inequality among officers.

The union referred to Staff Circular No. 8546 dated 24 February 2025 and the Ministry of Finance’s policy directive No. 858, which govern transfer rules for Scale III officers and above. AIBOA reminded the management that these policies must align with the rulings of the Madras High Court, which had earlier found that the existing transfer policy failed to ensure fairness and consistency.

Quoting the High Court’s observation, the letter noted that the bank’s transfer system lacked transparency, as officers were being moved without considering their service period in a zone or the regional differences they might face. The court had also stated that any revised transfer policy must follow the guidelines issued by the Central Government and ensure that officers are not moved arbitrarily.

AIBOA emphasised that transfers should not merely be administrative exercises but should also take into account human and practical factors, especially in a country as diverse as India. It urged the bank to act promptly and revise the transfer policy before continuing with the promotion process.

The union concluded its letter by requesting that the matter be treated with utmost priority, calling the revision of the transfer policy “an essential step towards fairness, transparency, and employee welfare” within the Union Bank of India.