PSOs must update Al-Qaida sanctions list for new and existing accounts
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/194 · issued 06 Sep 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all Payment System Operators to update the UN Al-Qaida sanctions list, screen new customers against it, and scan existing accounts for matches, following UAPA 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 a circular on September 6, 2012, updating the Al-Qaida sanctions list based on UN Security Council changes from June-July 2012. It requires PSOs to update their records and ensure no new or existing accounts are linked to listed individuals or entities.
What it means for you
Banks and payment operators must integrate this updated list into their customer onboarding and ongoing monitoring processes. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action, as the directive ties into the UAPA, 1967, and RBI's AML framework.
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 your internal sanctions list with the latest UN Al-Qaida list from the provided UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Scan all existing customer accounts to identify and flag any matches with the list.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of RBI circular DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 for any matches.
Ensure your nodal officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to RBI.
Who it affects
All Payment System Operators authorized under PSS Act, 2007, Banks offering payment services, Compliance and AML teams at financial institutions
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 18:10 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 source of the updated sanctions list?
The list is the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee's Al-Qaida Sanctions List, updated as of June-July 2012, and forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs.
What actions are required for existing accounts?
PSOs must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to individuals or entities on the updated list, and freeze any such accounts as per the 2009 circular's paragraph 6.
Where can I find the full sanctions list?
The complete list is available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/194
DPSS.CO.AD.No.427/02.27.005/2012-13
September 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 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) Committee's Al Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular DPSS.CO.AD.No. 47/02.27.005/2012-13 dated July 6, 2012 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of notes dated June 28, 2012 and July 2, 2012 (copies 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 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, PSOs 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/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml
6. Nodal Officer/Principal Officer may please acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully
(K C Anand )
Deputy General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/194 · issued 06 Sep 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=7551&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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