UN Terror List Update: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Compliance
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/455 · issued 31 Mar 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has forwarded updated UN sanctions list (UNSCR 1267/1822) on Al-Qaida/Taliban entities. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against this list, freeze assets as per UAPA Order, and ensure strict compliance.
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
Banks must update their internal screening databases with the revised UN list of Al-Qaida/Taliban entities.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding and run a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched accounts as per the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
Ensure strict compliance and maintain meticulous records of the updated list and freezing procedures.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore, Mr. Kumar, must ensure that the new account application of a customer named 'Ahmed' does not match with the revised UN list. After verifying, he finds that Ahmed's name is not on the list, so he proceeds with onboarding the account. However, he also runs a fresh scan of all existing accounts and finds a match with an account held by 'Osama', a designated entity. He immediately freezes the funds and assets of Osama's account as per the UAPA Order.
What changed
RBI received a March 24, 2011 note from the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee with changes to the consolidated list of individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. This supersedes the previous list circulated via circular dated March 11, 2011.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal screening databases with the revised UN list. Failure to identify and freeze accounts of designated entities could lead to regulatory action and reputational risk. The UAPA Order of August 27, 2009 remains the governing framework for freezing procedures.
What you must do
Update your internal AML screening systems with the latest UN consolidated list available at the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Run a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions
❓ Common questions
Where can I find the latest consolidated list of terrorist individuals/organisations?
The complete list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/consolist.shtml. RBI has forwarded the changes via this circular, but banks should refer to the UN site for the full updated list.
What action should we take if we find a match in an existing account?
You must immediately freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in that account, following the procedure detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009, which implements the UAPA Order.
Is this a one-time requirement or ongoing?
This is an ongoing obligation. Banks must continuously screen new accounts and periodically re-screen existing accounts against the UN consolidated list, which is updated by the 1267 Committee. RBI will circulate changes as received from the Government of India.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/455
DBOD. AML.No.15369 /14.06.001/2010-11
March 31, 2011
The Chairmen / CEOs of all Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RRBs)/ Local Area Banks / All India Financial Institutions
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 DBOD. AML.No.14203 /14.06.001/2010-11 dated March 11, 2011 . We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated March 24, 2011 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. Banks/All India Financial Institutions 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. Banks are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to our circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 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 September 17, 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 circular letter.
Yours faithfully,
(Rachna Dikshit)
Deputy General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/455 · issued 31 Mar 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update your internal AML screening systems with the latest UN consolidated list available at the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
📜 Compliance
Run a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions), your first concrete step on “UN Terror List Update: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Compliance” is: “Update your internal AML screening systems with the latest UN consolidated list available at the UN website.” (RBI issued this 31 Mar 2011).
Circular: RBI/2010-11/455 -- UN Terror List Update: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Compliance
Issued: 31 Mar 2011
Action required: Update your internal AML screening systems with the latest UN consolidated list available at the UN website.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Run a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Action required: Freeze funds and assets of any matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Action required: Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
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=6315&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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