UAPA Sanctions: Update Al-Qaida List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/271 · issued 17 Sep 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs and cooperative banks to update the UN Al-Qaida sanctions list with the 22nd deletion update. 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
Banks must update their list of bad guys (sanctions list) to remove names that the UN says are no longer on the Al-Qaida list.
Before opening a new account, check the customer's name against the updated list to make sure they are not a bad guy.
Check all existing accounts to see if any are linked to bad guys on the list, and if so, follow the rules to freeze their money.
The compliance officer must tell the RBI regional office that they got this update.
How it plays out — a real example
A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore updates the bank's computer system with the new UN list. She then checks a new customer's name against it before approving a loan, and also reviews old accounts to make sure none belong to anyone on the list.
What changed
RBI issued the 22nd update to the UNSCR 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions List, reflecting deletions made by the UN Committee. This supersedes the previous 21st update circular dated September 10, 2013. Banks must incorporate these deletions into their screening processes.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal sanctions lists to remove any individuals or entities that have been deleted from the UN list. This ensures compliance with Section 51-A of UAPA and avoids freezing accounts of delisted parties. Failure to update could lead to regulatory action or operational errors.
What you must do
Update your sanctions screening database with the 22nd UN Al-Qaida deletions list from the UN website.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Review existing accounts to confirm no account is linked to any listed individual or entity.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009 and October 29, 2009 for any designated entities.
Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), Central Cooperative Banks (CCBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks
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 list?
The list is the 22nd update from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs. It is available on the UN website at the URLs provided in the circular.
Do we need to freeze accounts of deleted entities?
No, the update only covers deletions. Freezing actions should follow the procedures in the earlier circulars for any entities that remain on the list. For deleted entries, no freezing is required.
What if we miss updating the list?
Non-compliance could result in regulatory penalties and operational risks, such as inadvertently freezing accounts of delisted parties or failing to screen against current sanctions.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/271
RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No. 3376/07.51.019/2013-14
September 17, 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 1267(1999) / 1989(2011) Committee's Al-Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.3107/07.51.019/2013-14 dated September 10, 2013 on the captioned subject releasing 21st update. We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division, copy of twenty-second update note dated September 4, 2013 ( copy enclosed ) forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee regarding deletions made in the “Al-Qaida Sanctions List”, i.e. list of Individuals and entities linked to Al-Qaida. The copy of the update is available on UN website at the following url:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11109.doc.htm
2. Regional Rural Banks and State / Central Cooperative 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.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 dated November 05, 2009 and October 29, 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/aq_sanctions_list.shtml
6. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular letter to our concerned Regional Office.
Yours faithfully,
(A.G. Ray)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/271 · issued 17 Sep 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
📜 Compliance
Update your sanctions screening database with the 22nd UN Al-Qaida deletions list from the UN website.
Review existing accounts to confirm no account is linked to any listed individual or entity.
Follow the freezing procedures outlined in RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009 and October 29, 2009 for any designated entities.
Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should 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 (Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), Central Cooperative Banks (CCBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions: Update Al-Qaida List for RRBs & Co-op Banks” is: “Update your sanctions screening database with the 22nd UN Al-Qaida deletions list from the UN website.” (RBI issued this 17 Sep 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/271 -- UAPA Sanctions: Update Al-Qaida List for RRBs & Co-op Banks
Issued: 17 Sep 2013
Action required: Update your sanctions screening database with the 22nd UN Al-Qaida deletions list from the UN website.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Review existing accounts to confirm no account is linked to any listed individual or entity.
Action required: Follow the freezing procedures outlined in RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009 and October 29, 2009 for any designated entities.
Action required: Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should 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=8435&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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