PSOs must update Al-Qaida sanctions list for new and existing accounts
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/402 · issued 17 Feb 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all Payment System Operators to update the UN Al-Qaida sanctions list, screen new customers against it, and scan existing accounts for matches. Freeze assets of designated individuals/entities as per earlier UAPA guidelines.
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 issued a circular on February 17, 2012, requiring PSOs to update the Al-Qaida sanctions list based on a UN Security Council committee note dated January 26, 2012. This follows a prior circular from January 24, 2012, and reinforces compliance with the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
What it means for you
PSOs must now ensure no new account is opened for any individual or entity on the updated UN sanctions list. They must also review all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked assets, following the procedures in the September 17, 2009 RBI circular.
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 list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.
Screen all new account applicants against the updated list before opening accounts.
Scan all existing customer accounts to identify any matches with the sanctions list.
Freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources of designated individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
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 PSOs, Nodal/Principal Officers of PSOs
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 21:47 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 sanctions list?
The list is from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
What action is required for existing accounts linked to the list?
PSOs must scan all existing accounts and freeze any funds, financial assets, or economic resources of designated individuals/entities, following the procedure in paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 RBI circular.
Which earlier circular provides the detailed procedure?
The procedure is outlined in RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009, which implements the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/402
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 1524 /02.27.005/2011-12
February 17, 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 1328 /02.27.005/2011-12 dated January 24, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copies of note dated January 26, 2012 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.
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, 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 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 may 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/2011-12/402 · issued 17 Feb 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=7011&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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