UAPA Sanctions List Updates for RRBs – January 18, 2012
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/354 · issued 18 Jan 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs to update their UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with seven new annexes from July 2011 to January 6, 2012. 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
Add the seven new annexes (July 5, 2011 to January 6, 2012) from the UN 1988 sanctions list to your bank’s internal database.
Before opening any new account, make sure the customer’s name is not on the updated list.
Run a scan of all existing accounts to see if any match the new list and flag them if they do.
If an account matches, follow the freezing steps described in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 UAPA circular (stop all transactions and hold the account).
The bank’s Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must confirm receipt of this circular to the RBI Regional Office.
How it plays out — a real example
Rajesh, a branch manager in Raipur, receives a new customer application. He quickly checks the name against the updated UN 1988 list, finds a match, and immediately freezes the account following the UAPA procedure. He then reports the action to the Compliance Officer, who acknowledges the circular to the RBI office, ensuring the bank stays compliant.
What changed
RBI forwarded seven new notes from the UN 1988 Committee updating the sanctions list of individuals and entities linked to the Taliban. These updates cover changes made between July 5, 2011 and January 6, 2012, replacing the previous list circulated via circular dated January 2, 2012.
What it means for you
RRBs must immediately update their internal sanctions databases with the latest UNSCR 1988 list. Failure to screen accounts could lead to regulatory action. The circular reinforces existing UAPA compliance obligations, including freezing of assets for designated entities.
What you must do
Update your sanctions screening system with the seven new annexes (July 5, 2011 to January 6, 2012) from the UN 1988 Committee list.
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding.
Conduct a retrospective scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Ensure your 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 and Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and AML screening
❓ Common questions
What is the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list?
It is a UN Security Council list of individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, subject to asset freezing and other restrictive measures under Resolution 1988 (2011).
Do we need to check only new accounts?
No. The circular requires both pre-account screening for new customers and a scan of all existing accounts to ensure no account is linked to listed entities.
Where can we find the full updated list?
The complete list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1988/list.shtml. RBI has also enclosed the seven annexes with this circular.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/354
RPCD.CO RRB.AML.No. 7156/03.05.28(A)/2011-12
January 18, 2012
The Chairmen
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967-
Updates of the UNSCR 1988 (2011) Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO RRB.AML.BC.No.51/03.05.33(E)/2011-12 dated January 2, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copies of notes forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1988 Committee (copy enclosed) regarding changes made in the “1988 Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Taliban, as detailed below:
Note dated July 5, 2011 ( Annex I )
Note dated July 18, 2011 ( Annex II )
Note dated July 29, 2011 ( Annex III )
Note dated August 16, 2011 ( Annex IV )
Note dated October 4, 2011 ( Annex V )
Note dated November 29, 2011 ( Annex VI )
Note dated January 6, 2012 ( Annex VII )
2. RRBs are required to update the 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, 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 list are available on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1988/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
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/354 · issued 18 Jan 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding.
💻 IT / Systems
Update your sanctions screening system with the seven new annexes (July 5, 2011 to January 6, 2012) from the UN 1988 Committee list.
📜 Compliance
Conduct a retrospective scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the 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 an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of RRBs, Branch managers handling account opening and AML screening), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Updates for RRBs – January 18, 2012” is: “Update your sanctions screening system with the seven new annexes (July 5, 2011 to January 6, 2012) from the UN 1988 Committee list.” (RBI issued this 18 Jan 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/354 -- UAPA Sanctions List Updates for RRBs – January 18, 2012
Issued: 18 Jan 2012
Action required: Update your sanctions screening system with the seven new annexes (July 5, 2011 to January 6, 2012) from the UN 1988 Committee list.
Action required: Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Conduct a retrospective scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the November 5, 2009 circular for any matched accounts.
Action required: Ensure your 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=6947&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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