Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/571 · issued 22 May 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all State/Central Co-operative Banks and RRBs to update their records with the latest UN Al-Qaida sanctions list, screen new and existing accounts, and comply with 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 sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Freeze funds and assets of matched accounts as per earlier circulars.
How it plays out — a real example
As a Regional Rural Bank's (RRB) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer in a rural town, I ensure that our bank's internal sanctions list is updated regularly with the latest UN Al-Qaida list. When a new customer applies for an account, I screen their name against the updated list to prevent any individuals linked to Al-Qaida from opening an account. If an existing account is matched with a listed individual/entity, I freeze their funds and assets as per our bank's AML procedures.
What changed
RBI issued this circular on May 22, 2012, to communicate updates to the UNSCR 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions List received from the Ministry of External Affairs. It replaces the earlier list circulated on May 11, 2012, and requires banks to immediately incorporate the changes.
What it means for you
Banks must ensure no new account is opened for any individual or entity on the updated sanctions list, and all existing accounts must be scanned for matches. Compliance with the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, and earlier RBI circulars is mandatory, including freezing of funds and assets of designated entities.
What you must do
Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
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.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Compliance Officers/Principal Officers
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated sanctions list?
The list is the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee's Al-Qaida Sanctions List, provided by the Ministry of External Affairs. The full list is available on the UN website.
Do we need to check only new accounts or existing ones too?
Both. You must ensure no new account is opened for a listed entity, and you must scan all existing accounts to identify any linked to the list.
What action is required if we find a match in an existing account?
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of the earlier circulars referenced (dated October 29, 2009, and November 5, 2009) to freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/571
RPCD.CO RRB.RCB.AML.No.11944/03.05.28(A)/2011-12
May 22, 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.11647/03.05.28 (A)/2011-12 dated May 11, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of note dated May 7, 2012 forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee ( copies 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 shouldbe taken as detailed in paragraph6 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/2011-12/571 · issued 22 May 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
📜 Compliance
Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.
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.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Update for Co-op & RRBs” is: “Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.” (RBI issued this 22 May 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/571 -- UAPA Sanctions List Update for Co-op & RRBs
Issued: 22 May 2012
Action required: Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the UN website.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
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.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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=7230&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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