No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/493 · issued 12 Apr 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all Payment System Operators to update their records with the latest UN 1988 Sanctions List (Taliban-linked entities) and screen new and existing accounts to prevent any dealings with listed individuals or entities.
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 April 12, 2012, updating the UNSCR 1988 Sanctions List based on a February 14, 2012 note from the UN Security Council's 1988 Committee. This replaces the earlier list circulated in January 2012 and requires PSOs to immediately incorporate the changes.
What it means for you
Banks and payment operators must cross-check all new account openings against the updated Taliban sanctions list and review existing accounts for matches. Non-compliance with the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, and related RBI instructions could lead to regulatory action. Freezing of assets must follow the procedure outlined in the September 17, 2009 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 database with the latest UN 1988 Sanctions List from the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Conduct a retrospective scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with listed entities.
Freeze any identified accounts or assets as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure your Nodal/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to RBI.
Who it affects
All Payment System Operators authorized under PSS Act, 2007, Banks offering payment services, Compliance and AML teams at financial institutions
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 20:59 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 UN 1988 Sanctions List?
It is a list maintained by the UN Security Council's 1988 Committee of individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, subject to asset freezes and travel bans under UNSCR 1988.
What action is required if a match is found?
You must freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources of the matched individual/entity as per the procedure in paragraph 6 of RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009.
Where can I find the complete updated list?
The full list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1988/list.shtml.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/493
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 1891 /02.27.005/2011-12
April 12, 2012
CEOs of all the Payment System Operators Authorised under the PSS Act, 2007
Dear Sir
Implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967 - Updates of the UNSCR 1988 (2011) 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 copy of note dated February 14, 2012 forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1998 Committee ( copy enclosed ) regarding changes made in the “1988 Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Taliban.
2. All the 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/1988/list.shtml
6. Nodal Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(Nilima Ramteke )
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/493 · issued 12 Apr 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=7122&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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