UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs and Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/624 · issued 27 Jun 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs and co-op banks to update the UN Al-Qaida sanctions list, screen new accounts against it, and scan existing accounts for matches. 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 the UN Al‑Qaida Sanctions List (list of people and groups linked to Al‑Qaida) using the latest UN website or RBI circular.
Before opening any new account, screen (check) the proposed customer's name against the updated list to make sure it is not there.
Scan all existing accounts to see if any match the updated list.
If a match is found, freeze (stop) the funds and assets of that person or entity as required by the UAPA (law against unlawful activities) order.
The Compliance Officer/Principal Officer (person in charge of following rules) must acknowledge receipt of the circular to the RBI regional office.
How it plays out — a real example
Ramesh Kumar, a senior compliance officer at a Regional Rural Bank in Patna, receives the RBI circular, updates the Al‑Qaida sanctions list on the bank's system, and checks a new loan applicant, Ahmed Khan, against it. Later he runs a scan of all existing accounts, finds that an account held by "XYZ Trading" appears on the list, promptly blocks the account, and sends an acknowledgement to the RBI regional office, feeling confident that the bank is following the new rule.
What changed
RBI has forwarded a June 21, 2012 UN Security Council update to the Al-Qaida Sanctions List under Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967. Banks must now incorporate these changes into their customer screening processes.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal lists of sanctioned individuals/entities linked to Al-Qaida. This ensures compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, and failure to screen could lead to regulatory action.
What you must do
Update the UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List using the latest UN website or RBI circular.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched individuals/entities as per UAPA Order procedures.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers/Principal Officers
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated sanctions list?
The list is from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee Al-Qaida Sanctions List, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs.
What actions are required for existing accounts?
Banks must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to listed individuals/entities, and freeze assets if found.
Which previous circulars govern the procedure?
The UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, and RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009 and October 29, 2009 outline the compliance steps.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/624
RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.13499/07.02.12/2011-12
June 27, 2012
The Chairmen / CEOs of all Regional Rural Banks/
State and Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967-
Updates of the UNSCR 1267 (1999)/1989 (2011) Committee's
Al-Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.13239/03.05.28(A)/ 2011-12 dated June 20, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of note dated June 21, 2012 ( copy enclosed ) forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee regarding changes made in the “Al-Qaida Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida.
2. All Regional Rural Banks / State and Central Co-operative Banks 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, 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.RRB.No.39/03.05.33 (E)/2009-10 dated November 05, 2009 and RPCD.CO.RF.AML. BC. No. 34/07.40.00/ 2009-10 dated October 29, 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 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 concerned Regional Office.
Yours faithfully,
(I.S.Negi)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/624 · issued 27 Jun 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 the UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List using the latest UN website or RBI circular.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched individuals/entities as per UAPA Order procedures.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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 (Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers/Principal Officers), your first concrete step on “UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs and Co-op Banks” is: “Update the UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List using the latest UN website or RBI circular.” (RBI issued this 27 Jun 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/624 -- UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs and Co-op Banks
Issued: 27 Jun 2012
Action required: Update the UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List using the latest UN website or RBI circular.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Freeze funds and assets of any matched individuals/entities as per UAPA Order procedures.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your 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=7303&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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