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UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Co-op Banks

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/164 · issued 02 Sep 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs co-operative banks to update their UNSCR 1267 sanctions list with three new annexes from July/August 2011. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against this list 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
How it plays out — a real example

A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore, Priya, receives this RBI circular. She immediately updates her bank's computer system with the three new annexes. Before approving a new gold loan for a customer, she screens the name against the updated list and finds no match, so she proceeds. She also runs a check on all existing loan accounts and finds one account linked to a newly listed entity; she freezes that account as per the freezing procedures.

What changed

RBI issued a circular on September 2, 2011, updating the consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida under UN Security Council resolutions. Three new notes from the UN 1267 Committee (dated July 29, August 12, and August 22, 2011) were enclosed as annexes. Banks must now incorporate these changes into their screening processes.

What it means for you

Co-operative banks must immediately update their internal sanctions lists to include the newly designated individuals/entities. Failure to screen new accounts or review existing ones against this list could lead to regulatory action. The circular reinforces the existing UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, and the freezing procedures from the October 29, 2009 circular.

What you must do

Who it affects

State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers/Principal Officers of co-operative banks

❓ Common questions

What is the source of the updated list?

The list is based on notes from the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee, forwarded by the Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs). The full consolidated list is available on the UN website.

Do we need to check only new accounts or existing ones too?

Both. The circular explicitly requires banks to ensure new account names are not on the list and to scan all existing accounts for any links to listed individuals or entities.

What action is required if we find a match?

You must follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI's circular dated October 29, 2009, which implements the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/164 RPCD.CO.RCB.AML.No.2507/07.02.12/2011-12 September 2, 2011 The Chairmen / CEOs of all State and Central Co-operative Banks 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.RCB.AML.No.987/07.02.12/2011-12 dated July 26, 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. Banks 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 RPCD.CO.RF.AML. BC. No. 34/07.40.00/ 2009-10 dated October 29, 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 October 29, 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 circular letter to our concerned Regional Office. Yours faithfully, (B.M.Kori) Assistant General Manager Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/164 · issued 02 Sep 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Most relevant forCompliance TeamBranch Operations (Accounts / FD / CASA)KYC / AML AnalystBranch Manager — PSU / Co-op / RRB (sanctioning powers)Internal AuditSenior Management / Board
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
📜 Compliance
  • Update your consolidated list of UNSCR 1267 designated individuals/entities with the three new annexes provided.
  • Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to newly listed individuals/entities.
  • Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the October 29, 2009 circular for any matches.
  • Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the concerned 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 (State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers/Principal Officers of co-operative banks), your first concrete step on “UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Co-op Banks” is: “Update your consolidated list of UNSCR 1267 designated individuals/entities with the three new annexes provided.” (RBI issued this 02 Sep 2011).

  1. Circular: RBI/2011-12/164 -- UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Co-op Banks
  2. Issued: 02 Sep 2011
  3. Action required: Update your consolidated list of UNSCR 1267 designated individuals/entities with the three new annexes provided.
  4. Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
  5. Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to newly listed individuals/entities.
  6. Action required: Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the October 29, 2009 circular for any matches.
  7. Action required: Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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=6692&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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