No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/365 · issued 24 Jan 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all payment system operators to update their records with the latest UN Al-Qaida sanctions list and screen all new and existing accounts against it, as per 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.
What changed
RBI has forwarded six UN Security Council notes (dated Oct 5, Oct 17, Nov 30, Dec 13, Dec 28, Dec 30, 2011) that update the Al-Qaida Sanctions List. All PSOs must now incorporate these changes into their customer screening processes.
What it means for you
Banks and payment operators must immediately update their internal sanctions lists with the new UN entries. They are required to check all new account openings against this list and also review existing accounts to identify any matches. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action.
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 internal sanctions database with the six UN notes attached to this circular.
Screen all new customer applications against the updated Al-Qaida list before onboarding.
Conduct a retrospective scan of all existing accounts to detect any linked to listed entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in RBI's September 17, 2009 circular for any matches found.
Ensure your nodal officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All payment system operators authorized under PSS Act, 2007, Banks offering payment services, Compliance and AML teams, Nodal officers of payment entities
❓ 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 is the source of the updated list?
The updates come from six official notes from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Do we need to check only new accounts?
No, you must screen both new accounts before opening and all existing accounts to ensure none are linked to the listed individuals or entities.
What action is required if a match is found?
Follow the freezing of funds and assets procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI's circular dated September 17, 2009.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/365
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 1328 /02.27.005/2011-12
January 24, 2012
All Payment System Operators Authorised under the PSS Act, 2007
Dear Sir
Implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967 - Updates of the UNSCR 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) Committee's Al Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular DPSS. CO. AD. No 1321 /02.27.005/2011-12 dated January 23, 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 1267/ 1989 Committee (copy enclosed) regarding changes made in the “Al-Qaida Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida, as detailed below:
1. Note dated October 5, 2011 ( Annex I )
2. Note dated October 17, 2011 ( Annex II )
3. Note dated November 30, 2011 ( Annex III )
4. Note dated December 13, 2011 ( Annex IV )
5. Note dated December 28, 2011 ( Annex V )
6. Note dated December 30, 2011 ( Annex VI )
2. All Payment System Operators (PSOs) 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, PSO 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 . All the PSOs are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to the Reserve Bank 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
4. 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.
5. The complete details of the said list are available on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml
6. Nodal Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(K C Anand )
Deputy General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/365 · issued 24 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=6962&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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