UAPA Sanctions List Update for RRBs and Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/165 · issued 30 Jul 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs and co-op banks to update the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list for Taliban-linked entities, screen new and existing accounts, 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
Banks must update their list of bad people linked to the Taliban using a new list from the UN (United Nations) dated June 27, 2013.
Before opening any new account, check the customer's name against this updated list to make sure they are not on it.
Check all existing accounts to see if any belong to or are linked to people or groups on the list.
If you find a match, freeze (lock) the account's money and assets following the rules in the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) order from August 27, 2009.
The Compliance Officer (the person in charge of following rules) must tell the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) regional office that they got this circular.
How it plays out — a real example
Ravi, a compliance officer at a co-operative bank in Lucknow, receives this RBI circular. He immediately updates the bank's internal sanctions list with the new Taliban-linked names from the UN. Then, he asks his team to screen all new account applications and review every existing account, finding one account that matches a listed entity, which he then freezes following UAPA procedures.
What changed
RBI issued an update to the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list for individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, based on a June 27, 2013 note from the UN Security Council's 1988 Committee. Banks must now use this updated list for account screening and compliance.
What it means for you
Banks must ensure no new accounts are opened for listed individuals/entities and review all existing accounts for matches. Strict adherence to UAPA Order procedures for freezing assets is required, with compliance officers acknowledging receipt to RBI regional offices.
What you must do
Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UNSCR 1988 Taliban-linked entities and individuals.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Review all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Ensure compliance with UAPA freezing procedures as per earlier RBI circulars.
Have your Compliance Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks, State and Central Co-operative Banks, All India Financial Institutions
❓ Common questions
What is the UNSCR 1988 sanctions list?
It is a UN Security Council list of individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, which RBI mandates banks to use for screening accounts under the UAPA.
Do we need to check existing accounts too?
Yes, banks must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to any entity or individual on the updated sanctions list.
What action is required for matched accounts?
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in paragraph 6 of earlier RBI circulars on UAPA compliance, including freezing funds and financial assets.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/165
RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.1209/07.51.019/2013-14
July 30, 2013
The Chairmen / CEOs of all Regional Rural Banks /
State and Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Implementation 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.4545/07.02.12/2012-13 dated October 30, 2012 on the captioned subject. We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division, copy of note dated June 27, 2013 forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1988 Committee (copy enclosed) regarding changes made in the “1988 Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Taliban.
2. Banks/All India Financial Institutions 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.RRB.No.39/03.05.33 (E)/2009-10 dated November 05, 2009 and RPCD.CO.RF.AML. BC. No. 34/07.40.00/ 2009-10 dated October 29, 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 circulars mentioned 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 circular letter to our Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully,
(A.G. Ray)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/165 · issued 30 Jul 2013. 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 sanctions list with the latest UNSCR 1988 Taliban-linked entities and individuals.
Review all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Ensure compliance with UAPA freezing procedures as per earlier RBI circulars.
Have your Compliance Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned 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 (Regional Rural Banks, State and Central Co-operative Banks, All India Financial Institutions), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Update for RRBs and Co-op Banks” is: “Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UNSCR 1988 Taliban-linked entities and individuals.” (RBI issued this 30 Jul 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/165 -- UAPA Sanctions List Update for RRBs and Co-op Banks
Issued: 30 Jul 2013
Action required: Update your internal sanctions list with the latest UNSCR 1988 Taliban-linked entities and individuals.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before opening accounts.
Action required: Review all existing accounts to identify and freeze any linked to listed entities.
Action required: Ensure compliance with UAPA freezing procedures as per earlier RBI circulars.
Action required: Have your Compliance Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned 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=8279&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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