UAPA Sanctions List Update for Payment System Operators
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/496 · issued 08 May 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all PSOs to update their records with the latest UN Al-Qaida Sanctions List, screen new and existing accounts, and comply with UAPA 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.
What changed
RBI circular DPSS.CO.AD.No.2050/02.27.005/2012-13 dated May 8, 2013, updates the Al-Qaida Sanctions List based on multiple UN notifications received from January to March 2013. It requires PSOs to incorporate these changes and follow the UAPA Order of August 27, 2009, for compliance.
What it means for you
PSOs must ensure no new accounts are opened for listed individuals/entities and scan existing accounts for matches. They must also freeze funds or assets of designated entities as per the September 17, 2009 circular. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action.
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 Sanctions List from the provided UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Review all existing accounts to identify and report any linked to listed individuals/entities.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular for any matches.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular through your Nodal/Principal Officer.
Who it affects
All Payment System Operators authorized under the PSS Act, 2007, Compliance and AML teams at PSOs, Nodal Officers and Principal Officers of PSOs
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 15:38 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 Al-Qaida Sanctions List maintained by the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, available on their website.
What actions are required for existing accounts?
PSOs must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to individuals/entities on the updated list, and freeze funds or assets as per the September 17, 2009 circular.
Who should acknowledge receipt of this circular?
The Nodal Officer or Principal Officer of the PSO should acknowledge receipt.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/496
DPSS. CO. AD. No. 2050/02.27.005/2012-13
May 8, 2013
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.1121/02.27.005/2012-13 dated January 8, 2013 . We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copy of notes dated January 15, February 5, 11, 22, 25 and March 12, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 25, 2013 ( 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 to 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/pressreleases.shtml
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/pdf/AQList.pdf
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/2012-13/496 · issued 08 May 2013. 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=7974&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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