Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/257 · issued 16 Dec 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs to update consolidated UN terrorist lists with new deletions and amendments. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against the list and follow UAPA freezing procedures.
Sanctions-list safety note. This circular refers to a specific UN Security Council / UAPA designated-entities list update as it stood on the date above — sanctions lists change often, and a newer update almost certainly exists today. Never use this page, or any single dated circular, as your current screening list. Always screen against the live, current list at the official UAPA proscribed-organisations list and the UN Consolidated List, and confirm the obligations for your bank on the official rbi.org.in source below.
The rule, in the simplest words
Update the list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN changes.
Screen new account applications against the updated list before opening.
Scan existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
How it plays out — a real example
As a payments & clearing officer in Indore, I must ensure that our Regional Rural Bank (RRB) updates its list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN changes. When a new customer applies for a loan, I screen their name against the updated list to prevent any potential risks. If an existing customer's account is linked to a listed entity, I must freeze the assets as per the UAPA Order to maintain regulatory compliance.
What changed
RBI forwarded three UN Security Council 1267 Committee notes (Sept 3, Sept 23, Oct 22, 2009) with amendments to the Al-Qaida/Taliban consolidated list. Changes include deletions of entries, amendments with strike-through/underline, and review updates as per Annexes I-III.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal terrorist lists to reflect the latest UN changes. Failure to screen new accounts or scan existing ones could lead to regulatory action. The circular reinforces strict compliance with the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, especially for freezing assets of designated entities.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the amendments and deletions from Annexes I-III.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Acknowledge receipt of this letter to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers / Principal Officers of RRBs
❓ Common questions
What are the key changes in the UN list this circular refers to?
The circular includes three sets of changes: amendments with strike-through/underline to four entries plus a review update (Annex I); deletion of one entry and amendments to two entries plus a review update (Annex II); and deletion of four entries plus a review update (Annex III).
Do we need to freeze accounts immediately for newly listed entities?
Yes. For designated individuals/entities, you must freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in bank accounts as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Where can we find the full consolidated list?
The complete consolidated list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/consolist.shtml.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/257
RPCD.CORRB.No.6691/03.05.28(A)/2009-10
December 16, 2009
The Chairman
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Dear Sir,
List of Terrorist Individuals / Organisations - under UNSCR 1267(1999) and 1822(2008) on Taliban / Al-Qaida organsaition
Please refer to our letter RPCD.CO.RRB.No. 5446/03.05.28-A/2009-10 dated November 16, 2009. We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copies of notes dated September 3, 2009; September 23, 2009 and October 22, 2009 from the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267 Committee regarding changes made in the Consolidated List of Individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban as specified below:
Amendments specified with strike –through and underline in the four entries to the Consolidated List and an update of the review of names of the Consolidated List as per Annex-I
Amendments made through deletion of one entry and amendment specified with strike –through and underline in the two entries to the Consolidated List and an update of the review of names of the Consolidated List as per Annex-II
Amendments made through deletion of the four entries specified from its Consolidated List and an update of the review of names of the Consolidated List as per Annex- III
2. RRBs are required to update the consolidated list of individuals/entities as circulated by Reserve Bank and before opening any new account, it should be ensured that the name/s of the proposed customer does not appear in the list. Further, banks should scan all existing accounts to ensure that no account is held by or linked to any of the entities or individuals included in the list.
3. RRBs are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.No.39/03.05.33(E)/2009-10 dated November 05, 2009 and ensure meticulous compliance to the Order issued by the Government.
4. As far as freezing of funds, financial assets or economic resources or related services held in the form of bank accounts of the designated individuals / entities are concerned, action should be taken as detailed in paragraph 6 of the circular dated November 05, 2009 mentioned above.
5. The complete details of the said consolidated list are available on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/consolist.shtml
6. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this letter to our Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully,
(A. K. Pandey)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/257 · issued 16 Dec 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening.
📜 Compliance
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the amendments and deletions from Annexes I-III.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Acknowledge receipt of this letter to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers / Principal Officers of RRBs), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist Lists: Dec 2009” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the amendments and deletions from Annexes I-III.” (RBI issued this 16 Dec 2009).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/257 -- RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist Lists: Dec 2009
Issued: 16 Dec 2009
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the amendments and deletions from Annexes I-III.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this letter to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5420&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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