RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/240 · issued 20 Oct 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all RRBs to update the UNSC 1267 consolidated 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/groups linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban using the new UN list from September 30, 2010.
Before opening a new account, check that the customer's name is NOT on that list.
Check all existing accounts to see if any belong to or are linked to anyone on the list.
If you find a match, freeze (lock) the account's money and assets following the steps from the November 2009 RBI circular.
The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must tell the RBI Regional Office that they got this rule.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in a rural bank in Bihar gets this circular. She immediately updates her computer's watchlist with the new UN names. The next day, when a man named 'Ahmed' applies for a gold loan, she checks his name against the list—it's not there, so she opens the account. Later, she scans all old accounts and finds one linked to a listed group; she freezes it as per the RBI's freezing steps.
What changed
RBI forwarded a new UN Security Council 1267 Committee note (dated September 30, 2010) with changes to the consolidated list of Al-Qaida and Taliban-linked individuals/entities. RRBs must now use this updated list for account screening and freezing actions.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal watchlists with the revised UN consolidated list. Before opening any new account, banks must verify the proposed customer is not on the list, and all existing accounts must be scanned for matches. Freezing of funds and assets must follow the detailed procedure from the November 2009 circular.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UNSC 1267 Committee changes received from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Follow the freezing procedure outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Compliance Officer/Principal Officer must acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers of RRBs, Principal Officers of RRBs
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the source of the updated list?
The list is the UN Security Council 1267 Committee's consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban, with changes communicated by the Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) via a note dated September 30, 2010.
What actions are 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 found, freezing of funds, financial assets, or economic resources must be done as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
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.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Please refer to our circular letter RPCD.CO.RRB.AML.No.4630/03.05.28 (A)/2010-11 dated October 20, 2010”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/240
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No.4630/03.05.28(A)/2010-11
October 20, 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.3746 /03.05.28(A)/2010-11 dated September 27, 2010. We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated September 30, 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 relatedservices 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/2010-11/240 · issued 20 Oct 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
📜 Compliance
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UNSC 1267 Committee changes received from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Follow the freezing procedure outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Compliance Officer/Principal Officer must acknowledge receipt of this circular to the 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 of RRBs, Principal Officers of RRBs), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UNSC 1267 Committee changes received from the Ministry of External Affairs.” (RBI issued this 20 Oct 2010).
Circular: RBI/2010-11/240 -- RRBs Must Update UN Terrorist List for Account Screening
Issued: 20 Oct 2010
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UNSC 1267 Committee changes received from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedure outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Action required: Compliance Officer/Principal Officer must acknowledge 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
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=6051&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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