RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist Lists for Account Screening
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/476 · issued 26 May 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all RRBs to update the consolidated UN list of terrorist individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban, screen new and existing accounts against it, 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
RRBs (Regional Rural Banks) must update their list of bad people and groups linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban using the new UN list sent by the government.
Before opening any new account, check that the customer's name is not on this list.
Check all existing accounts to make sure none belong to or are linked to anyone on the list.
If you find a match, freeze the account following the rules from the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) order of August 27, 2009, and the November 5, 2009 circular.
The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must tell the RBI Regional Office that they got this circular.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in a rural bank in Bihar receives this circular. She immediately updates her bank's computer system with the new UN list of terrorist names. Then, she checks every new gold-loan application against the list before approving any loan, and also reviews all existing accounts to ensure none are linked to listed individuals.
What changed
RBI received from Government of India a copy of a note dated April 22, 2010, from the Chairman of the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee, regarding changes made to the consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. RRBs must update their records with these changes and ensure compliance with earlier circulars on account screening and asset freezing.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal databases with the revised UN list and verify all new and existing accounts for matches. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action and reputational risk. The circular reinforces the strict procedures under the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, for freezing assets of designated entities.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee changes received from the Government of India.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals or entities.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matches.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers of RRBs, Principal Officers of RRBs
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated list?
The list is the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban, as communicated by the Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) via a note dated April 22, 2010.
What action is required for existing accounts?
RRBs must scan all existing accounts to ensure no account is held by or linked to any entity or individual on the updated list. If a match is found, freezing action as per the UAPA Order and earlier RBI circular must be taken.
Where can the full consolidated list be accessed?
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/2009-10/476
RPCD.CO.RRB.AML.No.12319/03.05.28(A)/2009-10
May 26, 2010
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 Organisation
Please refer to our circular letter RPCD.CO.RRB.AML.No.12194/03.05.28(A)/2009-10 dated May 25, 2010. We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated April 22, 2010 ( copy enclosed ) forwarded by 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.
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 of the proposed customer does not appear in the list. Further, RRBs 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
(C.K.Shah)
Deputy General Manager
Encls: as above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/476 · issued 26 May 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
📜 Compliance
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee changes received from the Government of India.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals or entities.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matches.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer.
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 of RRBs, Principal Officers of RRBs), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist Lists for Account Screening” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee changes received from the Government of India.” (RBI issued this 26 May 2010).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/476 -- RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist Lists for Account Screening
Issued: 26 May 2010
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee changes received from the Government of India.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals or entities.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matches.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer.
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=5696&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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