Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/184 · issued 31 Aug 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs StCBs, DCCBs, and RRBs to update the UNSCR 1988 (2011) sanctions list for Taliban-linked individuals/entities. Banks must screen new and existing accounts against this list 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 the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with the latest additions/deletions from the enclosed UN notes.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Conduct a retrospective scan of existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities as per paragraph 6 of earlier circulars.
How it plays out — a real example
As she reviews new account applications, she checks the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list to ensure the proposed customer's name doesn't appear on it. If a match is found, she freezes the funds and financial assets as per the UAPA freezing procedures. She also conducts a retrospective scan of existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list, taking necessary action to comply with UAPA regulations.
What changed
RBI has communicated updates to the UNSCR 1988 (2011) Sanctions List, based on notes from the UN Security Council Committee dated July 19, August 13, and August 15, 2012. This supersedes the previous list circulated via the July 11, 2012 circular.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal sanctions screening databases with the revised list. Failure to identify and freeze accounts of designated entities could lead to regulatory action and penalties under UAPA, 1967.
What you must do
Update the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with the latest additions/deletions from the enclosed UN notes.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Conduct a retrospective scan of existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities 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 (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks
❓ Common questions
What is the UNSCR 1988 (2011) Sanctions List?
It is a UN Security Council list of individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, against which member states must apply asset freezes and other sanctions.
Do we need to check only new accounts or existing ones too?
Both. The circular mandates screening before opening new accounts and scanning all existing accounts to ensure no account is linked to listed entities.
Where can we find the full updated 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/2012-13/184
RPCD.CO RRB.RCB.AML.No. 2293/03.05.28 (A)/2012-13
August 31, 2012
The Chairmen / CEOs of all State and Central Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks
Dear Sir,
I mplementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967-
Updates of the UNSCR 1988 (2011) Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.311/03.05.28(A) /2012-13 dated July 11,2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copies of notes dated July 19, 2012 , August 13, 2012 and August 15, 2012 (copies enclosed) forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1988 (2011) Committee regarding changes made in the “1988 Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Taliban, as detailed in the enclosed notes.
2. All State and Central Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural 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.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 referred to in paragraph 3 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. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this 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/2012-13/184 · issued 31 Aug 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 the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with the latest additions/deletions from the enclosed UN notes.
Conduct a retrospective scan of existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities 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 (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Update for Co-op Banks & RRBs” is: “Update the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with the latest additions/deletions from the enclosed UN notes.” (RBI issued this 31 Aug 2012).
Circular: RBI/2012-13/184 -- UAPA Sanctions List Update for Co-op Banks & RRBs
Issued: 31 Aug 2012
Action required: Update the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list with the latest additions/deletions from the enclosed UN notes.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Conduct a retrospective scan of existing accounts to identify any matches with the revised list.
Action required: Freeze funds and financial assets of any matched individuals/entities 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=7536&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.