UAPA Sanctions List Update for Payment System Operators
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/119 · issued 06 Jul 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all PSOs to update UNSCR 1988 sanctions list, screen new and existing accounts against Taliban-linked individuals/entities, 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.
What changed
RBI issued this circular on July 6, 2012, updating the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with changes from March to June 2012. It requires PSOs to update their records and screen accounts accordingly.
What it means for you
Payment system operators must ensure no accounts are held by or linked to designated individuals/entities. This reinforces compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing norms, with strict freezing procedures for flagged accounts.
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 the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list in your systems immediately.
Screen all new account openings against the updated list before onboarding.
Scan all existing accounts to identify and report any matches.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 2009.
Ensure nodal officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All Payment System Operators authorized under PSS Act, 2007, Compliance teams of payment firms, Nodal officers handling sanctions screening
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 18:44 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 UNSCR 1988 sanctions list?
It is a UN Security Council list of individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, which RBI requires PSOs to use for screening accounts.
What happens if an existing account matches the list?
PSOs must freeze funds, financial assets, or economic resources as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Where can I find the full sanctions list?
The complete 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/2012-13/119
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 48/02.27.005/2012-13
July 6, 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 1891/02.27.005/2011-12 dated April 12, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copies of notes dated March 2, 2012 , March 19, 2012 , May 18, 2012 , June 1, 2012 and June 11, 2012 (copies enclosed) forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1998 Committee 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/2012-13/119 · issued 06 Jul 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=7432&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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