HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/418

UAPA Compliance: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/418 · issued 01 Mar 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs urban co-op banks to use two separate UN sanctions lists—Al-Qaida and Taliban—for Section 51A UAPA compliance. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against both lists and follow the August 2009 MHA procedure.
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
How it plays out — a real example

A co-operative bank branch 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 the 1988 Sanctions List on her computer. Since the name doesn't match either list, she proceeds to open the account, knowing she has followed the RBI rule.

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/entities). RBI now requires urban co-operative banks to reference both lists separately when implementing Section 51A of UAPA, 1967.

What it means for you

Urban co-operative banks must update their internal screening databases to include both new UN lists. Before opening any account, banks must verify the proposed customer's name against both lists. Existing accounts must also be scanned to ensure no account is linked to any listed individual or entity. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of urban co-op banks, Customers of urban co-op banks

❓ Common questions

What are the two new UN sanctions lists I need to use?

The Al-Qaida Sanctions List (maintained by the 1267/1989 Committee) includes individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaida. The 1988 Sanctions List includes those previously listed under the Taliban sections of the old consolidated list.

Do I need to check both lists for every new account?

Yes, RBI mandates that before opening any new account, you must ensure the proposed customer's name does not appear in either the Al-Qaida Sanctions List or the 1988 Sanctions List.

What should I do if I find an existing account linked to a listed entity?

You must freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in that account, following the action steps detailed in paragraph 7 of RBI's November 16, 2009 circular.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/418 UBD.CO.BPD (PCB) Cir. No.20/14.01.062/2011-12 March 1, 2012 The Chief Executive Officer of All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Madam/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. Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks 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 . Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to our circular UBD.CO.BPD. PCB.Cir. No. 21/12.05.001/2009-10 dated November 16, 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 7 of the circular dated November 16, 2009, mentioned above. 8. The Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular. Yours faithfully, (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/418 · issued 01 Mar 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Update your customer screening systems to include both the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and the 1988 Sanctions List from the UN.
📜 Compliance
  • Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
  • Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any accounts linked to listed individuals or entities.
  • Follow the procedure laid down in the MHA order of August 27, 2009, as per RBI circular of November 16, 2009.
  • Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
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 Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of urban co-op banks, Customers of urban co-op banks), your first concrete step on “UAPA Compliance: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists” is: “Update your customer screening systems to include both the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and the 1988 Sanctions List from the UN.” (RBI issued this 01 Mar 2012).

  1. Circular: RBI/2011-12/418 -- UAPA Compliance: UN Splits Al-Qaida & Taliban Sanctions Lists
  2. Issued: 01 Mar 2012
  3. Action required: Update your customer screening systems to include both the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and the 1988 Sanctions List from the UN.
  4. Action required: Before opening any new account, verify the proposed customer's name against both lists.
  5. Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify and freeze any accounts linked to listed individuals or entities.
  6. Action required: Follow the procedure laid down in the MHA order of August 27, 2009, as per RBI circular of November 16, 2009.
  7. Action required: Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7031&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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