UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs/StCBs/CCBs
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/305 · issued 30 Sep 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs RRBs, StCBs, and CCBs to update the Al-Qaida sanctions list with the 23rd update regarding deletions. Before opening accounts, verify names against the list; also scan existing accounts. Follow 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.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must update their list of bad people linked to Al-Qaida using the 23rd update from the UN, which shows names that were removed.
Before opening a new account, check the customer's name against this updated list to make sure they are not on it.
Also check all existing accounts to see if any are connected to people or groups on the list.
If you find a match, follow the government's rules from 2009 to freeze (lock) their money and assets.
The Compliance Officer (person in charge of following rules) must tell the RBI office that they got this circular.
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore is processing a new account application. She first opens the updated UN Al-Qaida sanctions list from the RBI circular, types the customer's name into her system, and confirms it does not appear. Then she runs a quick scan of all her branch's existing gold-loan accounts to ensure none are linked to any listed individuals, keeping her bank safe and compliant.
What changed
RBI issued the 23rd update to the UNSCR 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions List, reflecting deletions made by the UN committee. Banks must now use this updated list for customer screening and account monitoring.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately incorporate the latest UN deletions into their internal sanctions lists. Failure to screen new and existing accounts against this list could lead to non-compliance with UAPA, 1967, risking regulatory action. The circular reinforces the need for meticulous adherence to government orders on freezing assets of designated entities.
What you must do
Update your internal sanctions database with the 23rd UN Al-Qaida update regarding deletions; refer to the UN press release at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11117.doc.htm and the list URLs at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml and http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any links to listed individuals/entities.
Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and related RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009, and October 29, 2009, for freezing funds and assets.
Have your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), Central Co-operative Banks (CCBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks
❓ Common questions
What is the key action from this circular?
Banks must update their sanctions list with the 23rd UN Al-Qaida update regarding deletions and screen all new and existing accounts against it.
Does this circular affect only new accounts?
No, it requires scanning both new accounts before opening and all existing accounts to ensure no account is linked to listed entities.
What happens if we find a match with the list?
Follow the freezing procedures detailed in the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009, and October 29, 2009.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/305
RPCD.RRB.RCB.AML.No. 3949/07.51.019/2013-14
September 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
1267(1999) / 1989(2011) Committee's Al-Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.No.3376/07.51.019/2013-14 dated September 17, 2013 on the captioned subject releasing 22 nd update. We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division, copy of twenty-third update note dated September 11, 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/sc11117.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/delisting.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/2013-14/305 · issued 30 Sep 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
📜 Compliance
Update your internal sanctions database with the 23rd UN Al-Qaida update regarding deletions; refer to the UN press release at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11117.doc.htm and the list URLs at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml and http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any links to listed individuals/entities.
Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and related RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009, and October 29, 2009, for freezing funds and assets.
Have your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the 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 Co-operative Banks (StCBs), Central Co-operative Banks (CCBs), Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks), your first concrete step on “UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs/StCBs/CCBs” is: “Update your internal sanctions database with the 23rd UN Al-Qaida update regarding deletions; refer to the UN press release at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11117.doc.htm and the list URLs at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml and http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.” (RBI issued this 30 Sep 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/305 -- UAPA Section 51-A: Update Al-Qaida Sanctions List for RRBs/StCBs/CCBs
Issued: 30 Sep 2013
Action required: Update your internal sanctions database with the 23rd UN Al-Qaida update regarding deletions; refer to the UN press release at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11117.doc.htm and the list URLs at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml and http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/aq_sanctions_list.shtml.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before account opening.
Action required: Conduct a fresh scan of all existing accounts to identify any links to listed individuals/entities.
Action required: Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and related RBI circulars dated November 5, 2009, and October 29, 2009, for freezing funds and assets.
Action required: Have your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledge receipt of this circular to the 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=8483&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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