UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/504 · issued 17 Apr 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs State/Central Co-operative Banks and RRBs to update their UN Al-Qaida sanctions list per new UNSC changes, screen new and existing accounts against it, and follow UAPA freezing procedures.
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 internal UN Al-Qaida sanctions list with the latest changes from the UNSC 1267/1989 Committee.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Freeze funds and assets of matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars.
How it plays out — a real example
As a co-operative bank branch officer in Indore, I must ensure that our Regional Rural Bank updates its internal sanctions database with the new Al-Qaida list. Before opening a new account for a customer, I will screen their name against the updated list to prevent any potential links to terrorist organizations. If a match is found, I will freeze the funds and assets as per the UAPA Order to prevent any financial support to listed individuals/entities.
What changed
RBI has circulated an updated Al-Qaida Sanctions List from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, received via the Ministry of External Affairs on April 13, 2012. 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 and ensure no new accounts are opened for listed individuals/entities. Existing accounts must be scanned and any matches reported and frozen as per the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action.
What you must do
Update your internal UN Al-Qaida sanctions list with the latest changes from the UNSC 1267/1989 Committee.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Freeze funds and assets of matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars (RPCD.CO.RF.AML.BC. No. 34/2009-10 and RPCD.CO.RRB.No.39/2009-10).
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance/Principal Officer.
Who it affects
State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated list?
The list is from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs on April 13, 2012.
What actions are required for existing accounts?
Banks must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to any individual or entity on the updated Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
Where can I find the complete list?
The full consolidated list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/504
RPCD.CO RRB.RCB.AML.No.10495 /03.05.28(A)/2011-12
April 17,2012
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.10422/07.02.12/2011-12 dated April 16, 2012 . We have since received from the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of note dated April 13, 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 circular 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/2011-12/504 · issued 17 Apr 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 Al-Qaida sanctions list with the latest changes from the UNSC 1267/1989 Committee.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Freeze funds and assets of matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars (RPCD.CO.RF.AML.BC. No. 34/2009-10 and RPCD.CO.RRB.No.39/2009-10).
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance/Principal Officer.
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 (RRBs)), your first concrete step on “UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks” is: “Update your internal UN Al-Qaida sanctions list with the latest changes from the UNSC 1267/1989 Committee.” (RBI issued this 17 Apr 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/504 -- UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Issued: 17 Apr 2012
Action required: Update your internal UN Al-Qaida sanctions list with the latest changes from the UNSC 1267/1989 Committee.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Action required: Freeze funds and assets of matched accounts as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars (RPCD.CO.RF.AML.BC. No. 34/2009-10 and RPCD.CO.RRB.No.39/2009-10).
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office via the Compliance/Principal Officer.
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=7138&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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