UAPA 1967: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/328 · issued 30 Dec 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerBanks must now screen customers against two separate UN sanctions lists—Al-Qaida and Taliban—instead of one combined list. This follows UN Resolutions 1988 and 1989. All existing and new accounts must be checked against both lists to comply with Section 51A of UAPA, 1967.
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 check customers against TWO separate UN lists (Al-Qaida list and Taliban list) instead of one combined list.
Before opening any new account, the bank must make sure the customer's name is NOT on either list.
All existing accounts must be scanned to see if any are linked to people or groups on either list.
If a bank doesn't follow these rules, it can get in trouble under the UAPA (a law against unlawful activities).
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore is opening a new account for a customer. She first checks the customer's name against the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' and then against the '1988 Sanctions List' (the Taliban list) on her computer. Only after seeing the name is not on either list does she proceed to open the account, following the bank's updated screening rules.
What changed
The UN Security Council's 1267 Committee consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban has been split into two distinct lists: the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' (maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee) and the '1988 Sanctions List' (maintained by the 1988 Committee). Banks must now refer to both separate lists for compliance under Section 51A of UAPA, 1967, instead of the earlier single consolidated list.
What it means for you
Banks and financial institutions must update their screening databases to include both new lists separately. Before opening any new account, customer names must be verified against both the Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions lists. Existing accounts must also be scanned to ensure no account is linked to any entity or individual on either list. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action under UAPA.
What you must do
Update your AML/KYC screening systems to include both the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' and the '1988 Sanctions List' as separate reference lists.
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
Conduct a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with either list.
Ensure your compliance officer acknowledges receipt of this circular and maintains records of compliance.
Strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, as referenced in earlier RBI circulars.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of banks, AML/KYC teams
❓ Common questions
What are the two new lists I need to check against?
The first is the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee, and the second is the '1988 Sanctions List' maintained by the 1988 Committee. Both are available on the UN website at the URLs provided in the circular.
Do I need to check existing accounts as well?
Yes, the circular explicitly requires banks to scan all existing accounts to ensure no account is held by or linked to any entity or individual included in either of the two lists.
What action should I take if I find a match?
You must follow the freezing procedure detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009, which includes freezing funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in bank accounts of designated individuals/entities.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/328
DBOD. AML. BC. No.70 /14.06.001/2011-12
December 30, 2011
The Chairmen / CEOs of all Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RRBs)/
Local Area Banks / All India Financial Institutions
Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967-
Splitting of UNSC 1267 Committee's list of individuals and entities
linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban
Please refer to the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee’s Consolidated List of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida and Taliban who are subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo as set out in relevant Security Council Resolution 1822 (2008). Pursuant to being included in the 1267 Committee’s Consolidated List these individuals and entities are subject of action under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
2. The UN Security Council has adopted Resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011) which have resulted in splitting of the Consolidated List into two separate lists , namely:
(i) “Al-Qaida Sanctions List”, which is maintained by the 1267 / 1989 Committee. This List shall include only the names of those individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida. General information on the work of the committee is available at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/information.shtml . The Updated Al-Qaida Sanctions List is available at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml
(ii) “1988 Sanctions List”, which is maintained by the 1988 Committee. This list consists of names previously included in Sections A (“Individuals associated with the Taliban”) and B (“Entities and other groups and undertakings associated with the Taliban”) of the Consolidated List. The Updated 1988 Sanctions list is available at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/ 1988/list.shtml
3. It may be noted that both “Al-Qaida Sanctions List” and “1988 Sanctions List” are to be taken into account for the purpose of implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
4 This information is being issued in pursuance of the instructions contained in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Internal Security-I Division), Government of India’s order F. No. 17015/10/2002-IS-IV, dated 27 August 2009, regarding the Procedure for implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act, 1967.
5. Banks/All India Financial Institutions are required to update the lists 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 either 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 two lists.
6 . 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.
7. 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.
8. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(Murli Radhakrishnan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/328 · issued 30 Dec 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update your AML/KYC screening systems to include both the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' and the '1988 Sanctions List' as separate reference lists.
📜 Compliance
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
Conduct a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with either list.
Ensure your compliance officer acknowledges receipt of this circular and maintains records of compliance.
Strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, as referenced in earlier RBI circulars.
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, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of banks, AML/KYC teams), your first concrete step on “UAPA 1967: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists” is: “Update your AML/KYC screening systems to include both the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' and the '1988 Sanctions List' as separate reference lists.” (RBI issued this 30 Dec 2011).
Action required: Update your AML/KYC screening systems to include both the 'Al-Qaida Sanctions List' and the '1988 Sanctions List' as separate reference lists.
Action required: Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
Action required: Conduct a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with either list.
Action required: Ensure your compliance officer acknowledges receipt of this circular and maintains records of compliance.
Action required: Strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, as referenced in earlier RBI circulars.
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=6909&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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