RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/141 · issued 27 Jul 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all RRBs to update the UN 1267 Committee's consolidated list of individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. Before opening new accounts and while reviewing existing ones, banks must ensure no customer appears on this list and 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 use the newest UN list of people/groups linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban to check customers.
Before opening a new account, make sure the customer's name is NOT on that list.
Check all existing accounts too, to see if any customer is on the list.
If you find a match, freeze their money and assets following the UAPA Order (a government rule from August 27, 2009).
The Compliance Officer must tell the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) office that they got this update.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore is opening a new account for a customer. She first checks the updated UN list on the UN website and sees the customer's name is not there, so she proceeds. Later, she scans all old accounts and finds one name matches the list; she immediately freezes that account's funds as per the UAPA Order and reports it to her Compliance Officer.
What changed
RBI has forwarded a fresh UN Security Council 1267 Committee note (dated July 9, 2010) with changes to the consolidated list of terrorist individuals and organisations linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. This supersedes the earlier list circulated via the July 22, 2010 circular. RRBs must now use this updated list for all customer screening.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal sanctions screening systems with the revised UN list. Failure to identify a match could lead to regulatory action. The circular reinforces that both new account openings and existing account reviews must be checked against this list, and any matches require freezing of assets as per the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
What you must do
Update your internal database with the latest UN 1267 Committee consolidated list available at the UN website.
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any account held by or linked to listed individuals/entities.
If a match is found, freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI 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 find 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 dated July 9, 2010 with this circular.
What action is required if an existing account matches the list?
You must freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in the account, following the procedure detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular dated November 5, 2009, which is based on the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
Do we need to acknowledge receipt of this circular?
Yes, the Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must send an acknowledgement to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/141
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No.1083/03.05.28(A)/2010-11
July 27, 2010
The Chairmen
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.888/03.05.28(A)/2010-11 dated July 22,2010 . We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated July 9, 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
(R.K.Moolchandani)
Deputy General Manager
Encls: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/141 · issued 27 Jul 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer 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 your internal database with the latest UN 1267 Committee consolidated list available at the UN website.” (RBI issued this 27 Jul 2010).
Circular: RBI/2010-11/141 -- RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Issued: 27 Jul 2010
Action required: Update your internal database with the latest UN 1267 Committee consolidated list available at the UN website.
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 account held by or linked to listed individuals/entities.
Action required: If a match is found, freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Action required: Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the 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
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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=5907&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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