Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/197 · issued 23 Sep 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all RRBs to update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida per UNSCR 1267. Before opening new accounts, verify names against this list; also scan existing accounts for matches. Freeze assets as per earlier 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
RRBs (Regional Rural Banks) must update their list of bad people and groups linked to Al-Qaida (a terrorist network) as told by the UN (United Nations).
Before opening a new account, check the customer's name against this updated list to make sure they are not on it.
Also check all existing accounts to see if any match the list, and if they do, freeze (stop using) their money and assets as per earlier rules.
Follow the exact steps from the UAPA Order (a government rule against terrorism) from August 27, 2009, and the RBI circular from November 5, 2009, for freezing accounts.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Priya, receives the updated UN list of Al-Qaida-linked individuals. Before approving a new gold loan for a customer, she checks the name against the list and finds no match. She also reviews her branch's existing loan accounts and spots one linked to a listed entity, so she immediately freezes that account's funds and reports it to her compliance officer.
What changed
RBI has forwarded a new UN Security Council 1267 Committee note (dated September 15, 2011) with changes to the consolidated list of Al-Qaida-linked individuals and entities. RRBs must now update their internal lists accordingly and ensure compliance with the updated UN sanctions list.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately incorporate the latest UN list changes into their customer screening processes. Failure to identify and freeze accounts of designated entities could lead to regulatory action. This reinforces the ongoing obligation to prevent any financial support to terrorist networks.
What you must do
Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee's latest changes.
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of any matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Ensure Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers/Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and KYC
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated list?
The list is based on changes made by the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs. The full consolidated list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
What action is required for existing accounts that match the list?
RRBs must freeze all funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in such accounts, following the procedure detailed in paragraph 6 of the RBI circular dated November 5, 2009.
Do we need to acknowledge this circular?
Yes, the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer must send an acknowledgment of receipt to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/197
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No. 3312 /03.05.28(A)/2011-12
September 23, 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.2379 /03.05.28 (A)/2011-12 dated August 30, 2011 . We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) a copy of the note dated September 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.
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/2011-12/197 · issued 23 Sep 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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 KYC), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Update Terrorist Lists Under UNSCR 1267” is: “Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee's latest changes.” (RBI issued this 23 Sep 2011).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/197 -- RRBs Must Update Terrorist Lists Under UNSCR 1267
Issued: 23 Sep 2011
Action required: Update the consolidated list of terrorist individuals/entities as per the UN 1267 Committee's latest changes.
Action required: Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against the updated list.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of any matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular.
Action required: Ensure Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges 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=6729&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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