RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/486 · issued 08 Jun 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. Before opening new accounts and while scanning existing ones, ensure no customer matches the list. Strictly follow UAPA Order procedures for freezing assets.
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 get the newest UN list of bad guys (terrorists linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban) from the UN website and share it with all branches.
Before opening a new account, check if the customer's name is on that list.
Check all existing accounts to see if any match the list, and tell the Compliance Officer if you find any.
If you find a match, freeze their money and assets exactly as told in the RBI's November 5, 2009 rules.
Send a note to your Regional Office saying you got this circular.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in a rural bank in Bihar gets the updated UN list. She checks every new customer against it before opening an account, and also runs a scan on all old accounts. When she finds a match, she freezes that account right away and reports it to the Compliance Officer, following the freezing steps from the November 2009 circular.
What changed
RBI issued an updated consolidated list of terrorist individuals and entities under UNSCR 1267 and 1822, based on a May 11, 2010 note from the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee. This supersedes the previous list circulated on June 2, 2010. RRBs must now use this latest list for all customer screening.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal databases with the revised UN list and cross-check all existing and new accounts. Non-compliance with UAPA Order procedures for freezing funds or assets of designated entities could lead to regulatory action. This reinforces the zero-tolerance stance on terror financing in the banking system.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities from the UN website and circulate it to all branches.
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the list and report findings to the Compliance Officer.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and KYC
❓ Common questions
Where can we access the latest consolidated list?
The complete list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/consolist.shtml. RBI has also enclosed a copy of the UN note with this circular.
What action is required if an existing account matches the list?
Immediately freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources in the account as per the procedure outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular. Ensure strict compliance with the UAPA Order.
Do we need to report compliance to RBI?
Yes, the Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must acknowledge receipt of this letter to the concerned Regional Office of RBI.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/486
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No. 12681 /03.05.28(A)/2009-10
June 08, 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.12460/03.05.28(A)/2009-10 dated June 02,2010. We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated May 11, 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/2009-10/486 · issued 08 Jun 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities from the UN website and circulate it to all branches.
📜 Compliance
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the list and report findings to the Compliance Officer.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective 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 Branch Manager at a bank this circular applies to (All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and KYC), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities from the UN website and circulate it to all branches.” (RBI issued this 08 Jun 2010).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/486 -- RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Issued: 08 Jun 2010
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities from the UN website and circulate it to all branches.
Action required: Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the list and report findings to the Compliance Officer.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective 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=5715&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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