UN Terror List Update: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Compliance
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/572 · issued 16 Jun 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has circulated an updated UN consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. Banks must screen all new and existing accounts against this list and freeze assets as per UAPA Order 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
Banks must put the newest UN terrorist list (people and groups linked to Al‑Qaida or Taliban) into their own computer system right away.
Before opening any new account, the bank must check the applicant's name against that list to make sure there is no match.
The bank must also look at all existing accounts to see if any current customer matches the list and, if so, freeze their money as told in the UAPA Order (the law that tells how to lock funds).
The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer has to sign that they got the circular and understand what to do.
All scheduled commercial banks (except RRBs), local area banks, and all India financial institutions have to follow these steps.
How it plays out — a real example
Rohit, a senior compliance officer at a scheduled commercial bank in Mumbai, receives the RBI circular, updates the bank's internal terrorist list, runs the screening software on a new customer named Ahmed and sees a match, immediately freezes Ahmed's account as required, and records the action, feeling confident that he has kept the bank safe and compliant.
What changed
RBI received a June 15, 2011 note from the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee with changes to the consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban. Banks are required to update their records with this revised list and ensure compliance with earlier circulars on account screening and asset freezing.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal databases with the latest UN consolidated list and verify that no new or existing customer matches any listed entity. 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, particularly for freezing funds and financial assets of designated individuals.
What you must do
Update your internal consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN 1267 Committee changes.
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding customers.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and report any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of designated individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure the 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
What is the source of the updated list?
The list is from the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs. The full list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/consolist.shtml.
What action is required for existing accounts?
Banks 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, funds and assets must be frozen as per the UAPA Order procedures.
Which earlier circulars are referenced?
This circular refers to DBOD.AML.No.19262/14.06.001/2010-11 dated June 14, 2011, and DBOD.AML.BC.No.44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009, which contains the UAPA Order and freezing procedures.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/572
DBOD. AML.No.19483/14.06.001/2010-11
June 16, 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. 19262 /14.06.001/2010-11 dated June 14, 2011 . We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of note dated June 15, 2011 forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267 Committee (copy enclosed) 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,
(S. K. Jha)
Deputy General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/572 · issued 16 Jun 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding customers.
📜 Compliance
Update your internal consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN 1267 Committee changes.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and report any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of designated individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure the 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 a Compliance officer 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 consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN 1267 Committee changes.” (RBI issued this 16 Jun 2011).
Circular: RBI/2010-11/572 -- UN Terror List Update: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Compliance
Issued: 16 Jun 2011
Action required: Update your internal consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the latest UN 1267 Committee changes.
Action required: Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding customers.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify and report any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of designated individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Action required: Ensure the 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=6466&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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