UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Urban Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-2012/198 · issued 23 Sep 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks to update their records with the latest UN 1267 Committee consolidated list of Al-Qaida-linked individuals/entities, screen new and existing accounts, and follow UAPA Order procedures for freezing assets.
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 internal list with the newest UN 1267 Committee (UN group that lists terrorist people and groups) list that RBI sent.
Before opening any new account, check the applicant's name against this list to make sure it is not there.
Run a fresh scan of all existing accounts to see if any match the updated list.
If a match is found, freeze the account and any related assets as described in paragraph 6 of RBI's November 16, 2009 circular.
The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer must sign off that they received the circular and send the acknowledgement to the RBI Regional Office.
How it plays out — a real example
Rohit Sharma, a gold‑loan officer at City Urban Co‑op Bank in Indore, gets the September 23, 2011 circular from Deputy General Manager Scenta Joy. He updates the bank's screening software with the latest UN 1267 list, checks a new customer’s documents and sees no match, then runs a system‑wide scan of all accounts. The scan flags one old account; Rohit follows the freezing steps from the November 2009 RBI circular and informs the bank’s Compliance Officer, who acknowledges the circular to the RBI regional office. Rohit feels confident that his bank is staying safe and compliant.
What changed
RBI has forwarded a new consolidated list of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida, as updated by the UN Security Council's 1267 Committee via a Government of India note dated September 15, 2011. This updates the previous list referenced in the September 19, 2011 circular. Banks must now use this updated list for all customer screening.
What it means for you
Urban Co-operative Banks must immediately update their internal sanctions screening systems with the latest UN list to avoid onboarding or retaining prohibited entities. Non-compliance with the UAPA Order and RBI's freezing instructions could lead to regulatory action. This reinforces the ongoing obligation to monitor both new and existing accounts against evolving terrorist financing risks.
What you must do
Update your internal consolidated list of UN 1267 Committee-designated individuals/entities with the latest version received from RBI.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular UBD.CO.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.21/12.05.001/2009-10 dated November 16, 2009 for any matched accounts.
Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of Urban Co-operative Banks, Branch managers handling account opening and monitoring
❓ Common questions
Where can I find the full consolidated list of sanctioned individuals/entities?
The complete list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml. RBI has also enclosed a copy of the UN note with this circular.
What action should I take if I find an existing account matching the updated list?
You must immediately freeze the funds, financial assets, or economic resources held in that account, following the detailed procedures in paragraph 6 of RBI's November 16, 2009 circular (UBD.CO.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.21/12.05.001/2009-10).
Is this circular applicable only to Urban Co-operative Banks?
Yes, this specific circular is addressed to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks. Other bank categories may have separate instructions.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-2012/198
UBD.CO.BPD (PCB) Cir.No.5 /14.01.062/2011-12
September 23, 2011
The Chief Executive Officer of
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks
Madam/Dear Sir,
List of Terrorist Individuals /Organisations under UNSCR 1267 (1999), 1822 (2008) and 1989 (2011) on Taliban/Al-Qaida Organisation - Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks
Please refer to our circular UBD.CO. BPD (PCB).Cir.No.4/14.01.062/2011-12 dated September 19, 2011 . We have since received from Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs) copy of the note dated September 15, 2011 forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee ( copy enclosed ) regarding changes made in the Consolidated List of individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida.
2. Urban Co-operative Banks are required to update the Consolidated 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. Urban Co-operative Banks are advised to strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009 enclosed to our circular UBD.CO.BPD. PCB.Cir. No. 21/12.05.001/2009-10 dated November 16, 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 circular dated November 16, 2009 mentioned 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. The Compliance Officer/Principal Officer of the Urban Co-operative Bank should acknowledge receipt of this circular to our Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully,
(Scenta Joy)
Deputy General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-2012/198 · issued 23 Sep 2011. 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 consolidated list of UN 1267 Committee-designated individuals/entities with the latest version received from RBI.
Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular UBD.CO.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.21/12.05.001/2009-10 dated November 16, 2009 for any matched accounts.
Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges 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 (All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of Urban Co-operative Banks, Branch managers handling account opening and monitoring), your first concrete step on “UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Urban Co-op Banks” is: “Update your internal consolidated list of UN 1267 Committee-designated individuals/entities with the latest version received from RBI.” (RBI issued this 23 Sep 2011).
Circular: RBI/2011-2012/198 -- UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List Update for Urban Co-op Banks
Issued: 23 Sep 2011
Action required: Update your internal consolidated list of UN 1267 Committee-designated individuals/entities with the latest version received from RBI.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Action required: Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of RBI circular UBD.CO.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.21/12.05.001/2009-10 dated November 16, 2009 for any matched accounts.
Action required: Ensure the Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges 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=6730&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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