UN Terror List Updates for RRBs: Al-Qaida Sanctions
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/161 · issued 30 Aug 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs to update their consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida per UNSCR 1267, 1822, and 1989. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against this list and comply with 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
Update the list of terrorist individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida per UNSCR 1267, 1822, and 1989.
Screen new and existing accounts against the updated list to prevent account openings for listed entities and freeze linked accounts.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for assets linked to listed individuals/entities.
How it plays out — a real example
A compliance officer at a Regional Rural Bank in rural India, Mr. Kumar, is responsible for updating the bank's internal sanctions list. He receives the latest UN notes from the RBI and ensures that the bank's records are updated accordingly. Mr. Kumar then screens all new account openings against the updated list and scans existing accounts to identify and freeze any links to listed individuals/entities. He follows the freezing procedures outlined in the circular to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
What changed
RBI has forwarded three new UN notes (dated July 29, August 12, and August 22, 2011) from the 1267 Committee, which amend the consolidated list of Al-Qaida-linked individuals and entities. RRBs are required to update their records accordingly and ensure compliance with earlier circulars on account screening and asset freezing.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal sanctions lists to reflect the latest UN designations. This ensures that no new accounts are opened for listed entities and that existing accounts are reviewed for any links. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action and reputational risk.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the three new UN notes (July 29, August 12, August 22, 2011).
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding customers.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any accounts linked to listed individuals/entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers / Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and monitoring
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated list?
The updates come from three notes issued by the Chairman of the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs. The full consolidated list is available on the UN website.
What action is 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 action must be taken as per the UAPA Order and earlier RBI circular.
Who should acknowledge receipt of this circular?
The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer of each RRB must acknowledge receipt to their respective RBI Regional Office.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/161
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No. 2379 /03.05.28(A)/2011-12
August 30, 2011
The Chairmen
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Dear Sir,
List of Terrorist Individuals / Organisations - under UNSCR 1267 (1999) 1822 (2008) and 1989 (2011) on Taliban / Al-Qaida Organisation
Please refer to our circular letter RPCD.CO.RRB.AML.NO.816 /03.05.28 (A)/2011-12 dated July 22, 2011 .We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copies of notes 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, as detailed below:
Note dated July 29, 2011 ( Annex I )
Note dated August 12, 2011 ( Annex II )
Note dated August 22, 2011 ( Annex III )
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/aq_sanctions_list.shtml
6. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this letter to our Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully
(I.S.Negi)
General Manager
Encls: as above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/161 · issued 30 Aug 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 the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the three new UN notes (July 29, August 12, August 22, 2011).
Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any accounts linked to listed individuals/entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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 / Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and monitoring), your first concrete step on “UN Terror List Updates for RRBs: Al-Qaida Sanctions” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the three new UN notes (July 29, August 12, August 22, 2011).” (RBI issued this 30 Aug 2011).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/161 -- UN Terror List Updates for RRBs: Al-Qaida Sanctions
Issued: 30 Aug 2011
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities with the three new UN notes (July 29, August 12, August 22, 2011).
Action required: Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding customers.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any accounts linked to listed individuals/entities.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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=6689&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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