UAPA Compliance: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/360 · issued 23 Jan 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all payment system operators to use two separate UN sanctions lists—Al-Qaida and Taliban—for Section 51A UAPA checks. Existing accounts must be scanned and new accounts screened against both lists.
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.
What changed
The UN Security Council split its consolidated sanctions list into two: the Al-Qaida Sanctions List (maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee) and the 1988 Sanctions List (for Taliban-associated individuals and entities). RBI now requires all payment system operators to use both lists for compliance under Section 51A of UAPA, 1967.
What it means for you
Payment system operators must update their screening databases to include both new lists and cross-check all existing and new customers. Failure to identify a match could lead to regulatory action. The circular reinforces the government's procedure for freezing assets and reporting suspicious accounts.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Update your customer screening systems to include both the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and the 1988 Sanctions List.
Scan all existing accounts to ensure no account is held by or linked to any entity on either list.
Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
Follow the freezing and reporting procedures detailed in the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, and RBI circular of September 17, 2009.
Ensure your nodal/principal officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All payment system operators authorized under the PSS Act, 2007, Compliance and AML teams at payment firms, Nodal officers and principal officers of PSOs
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 22:03 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What are the two new sanctions lists I need to check?
The Al-Qaida Sanctions List (maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee) and the 1988 Sanctions List (for Taliban-associated individuals and entities). Both are available on the UN website.
Do I need to re-screen all existing customers?
Yes, the circular requires all payment system operators to scan all existing accounts to ensure no account is held by or linked to any entity or individual on either list.
What action should I take if I find a match?
Follow the freezing of funds and reporting procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI's circular dated September 17, 2009, and the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/360
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 1321/02.27.005/2011-12
January 23, 2012
All Payment System Operators Authorised under the PSS Act, 2007
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. All the Payment System Operators (PSOs) 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, all the PSOs 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. All the PSOs 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. The said circular is available on our website www.rbi.org.in .
7. As far as freezing of funds, financial assets or economic resources or related services held in the form of 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. Nodal Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(K C Anand)
Deputy General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/360 · issued 23 Jan 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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=6953&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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