No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/258 · issued 13 Sep 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all Payment System Operators to update their records with the latest UN 1988 Sanctions List (Taliban-linked individuals/entities) and screen new and existing accounts against it, following UAPA, 1967.
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 has forwarded updates to the UN Security Council's 1988 Sanctions List, received from the Ministry of External Affairs via multiple notes from June 2012 to June 2013. All PSOs must now incorporate these changes into their customer screening processes.
What it means for you
Payment System Operators must ensure no new account is opened for any listed individual/entity and must review all existing accounts for matches. This reinforces compliance with the UAPA, 1967, and requires strict adherence to the freezing procedures outlined in RBI's September 2009 circular.
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 1988 Committee changes immediately.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Conduct a thorough scan of all existing accounts to identify any linked to listed entities.
Follow the freezing of funds and assets procedures as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure your Nodal/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All Payment System Operators authorized under PSS Act, 2007, Compliance and AML teams at PSOs, Nodal/Principal Officers of PSOs
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 12:50 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 1988 Sanctions List?
It is a UN Security Council list of individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, maintained by the 1988 Committee. RBI requires PSOs to screen customers against this list.
What action is needed for existing accounts?
PSOs must scan all existing accounts to ensure none are held by or linked to any individual or entity on the updated sanctions list.
Where can I find the complete sanctions list?
The full 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/2013-14/258
DPSS. CO. AD. No.627/02.27.005/2013-14
September 13, 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 1988 (2011) Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular DPSS. CO. AD. No 48/02.27.005/2011-12dated July 6, 2012 on the captioned subject. We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division copies of notes dated June 27, 2012 , July 2, 2012 , July 19, 2012 , August 13, 2012 and August 15, 2012 , October 19, 2012 , October 25, 2012 and June 27, 2013 (copies enclosed) forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1988 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 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/1988/list.shtml
6. Nodal Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully
( K C Anand )
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/258 · issued 13 Sep 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=8416&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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