UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/464 · issued 21 Mar 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs State/Central Co-operative Banks and RRBs to update their UN Al-Qaida sanctions list per UNSCR 1267/1989 changes. Before opening new accounts, screen names against the list; also scan existing accounts. Freeze assets of designated individuals/entities as per earlier UAPA orders.
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
Update your bank's list of bad people linked to Al-Qaida (a terrorist group) using the new list from the UN (United Nations).
Before letting anyone open a new account, check their name against this list to make sure they are not on it.
Also check all existing accounts to see if any match the new list.
If you find a match, freeze (lock) their money and assets right away, as the government orders.
Your compliance officer (the person who makes sure rules are followed) must tell the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) office that you got this update.
How it plays out — a real example
Ravi, a co-operative bank branch officer in Indore at a Regional Rural Bank, gets the new Al-Qaida sanctions list from RBI. Before approving a new gold loan for a customer, he checks the customer's name against the list. He also runs a quick scan of all existing loan accounts and finds no matches. He then freezes no accounts, but updates his internal list and asks his compliance officer to confirm receipt to the RBI.
What changed
RBI has circulated an updated Al-Qaida Sanctions List from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, received via Ministry of External Affairs. Banks must now use this revised list for customer screening and account freezing actions.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal sanctions databases with the new list. Failure to screen new or existing accounts against this list could lead to regulatory action. The freezing of funds and assets of listed entities is mandatory under the UAPA Order.
What you must do
Update your internal UN sanctions list with the latest Al-Qaida designations from the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Run a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the new list.
Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars.
Have your Compliance/Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Compliance Officers / Principal Officers of these banks
❓ Common questions
Where can we find the complete updated Al-Qaida sanctions list?
The full consolidated list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
What action is required if we 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 procedure detailed in paragraph 6 of the earlier UAPA circulars referenced in this notification.
Do we need to acknowledge receipt of this circular?
Yes, the Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must send an acknowledgment to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/464
RPCD.CO RRB.RCB.AML.No. 9439/03.05.28(A)/2011-12
March 21, 2012
The Chairmen / CEOs of all State and Central Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks
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 RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.NO.9304/03.05.28(A)/2011-12 dated March 19, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of note dated March 14, 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. State and Central Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks are required to update the list of individuals/entities as circulated by the 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, 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 list.
3. Banks are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to our circular RPCD.CO.RF.AML. BC. No. 34/07.40.00/ 2009-10 dated October 29, 2009 and 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 circulars mentioned in paragraph 3 above.
5. The complete details of the said consolidated list are available on the UN website:
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_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
Encls: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/464 · issued 21 Mar 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
📜 Compliance
Update your internal UN sanctions list with the latest Al-Qaida designations from the UN website.
Run a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the new list.
Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars.
Have your Compliance/Principal Officer acknowledge 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 a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Compliance Officers / Principal Officers of these banks), your first concrete step on “UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks” is: “Update your internal UN sanctions list with the latest Al-Qaida designations from the UN website.” (RBI issued this 21 Mar 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/464 -- UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Issued: 21 Mar 2012
Action required: Update your internal UN sanctions list with the latest Al-Qaida designations from the UN website.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Run a one-time scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the new list.
Action required: Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars.
Action required: Have your Compliance/Principal Officer acknowledge 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=7083&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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