Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-2014/362 · issued 07 Nov 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates banks to update UNSCR 1267/1989 Al Qaida sanctions list with Q3 2013 changes. All new and existing accounts must be screened against the updated list, and any matches must be frozen per UAPA 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/groups (sanctions list) with new names from July to September 2013.
Before opening a 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 customer matches a name on the new list.
If you find a match, freeze (lock) their money and assets following the rules from a 2009 circular.
The person in charge of following rules (Compliance Officer) must say they got this message.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore receives this RBI circular. She immediately updates her bank's sanctions list with the Q3 2013 changes. While reviewing existing accounts, she finds a customer whose name matches a newly added entity. She freezes that account's funds as per the September 2009 procedures, ensuring her bank stays compliant.
What changed
RBI issued the 29th update to the UNSCR 1267/1989 Al Qaida sanctions list, covering amendments from July to September 2013. Banks must now use this updated list for account screening and compliance.
What it means for you
Banks must immediately update their internal sanctions databases with the new list. Freezing of assets must follow the detailed procedures from the September 2009 circular.
What you must do
Update your sanctions list with the 29th update and Q3 2013 compilation from the UN.
Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions
❓ Common questions
What is the source of this sanctions list update?
The update comes from the UN Security Council's 1267/1989 Committee, forwarded by the Ministry of External Affairs. It includes all amendments made in Q3 2013.
What actions are required for existing accounts?
Banks must scan all existing accounts to ensure no account is held by or linked to any entity or individual on the updated list. If found, freeze funds and assets as per the September 2009 circular.
Where can we find press releases about list changes?
Press releases on list changes are posted on the UN Committee's website at http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/pressreleases.shtml. De-listing information is also available on their site.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-2014/362
DBOD. AML.No. 8677/14.06.001/2013-14
November 7, 2013
The Chairmen / CEOs of all Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RRBs)/
Local Area Banks / All India Financial Institutions
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 DBOD. AML No. 571914.06.001/2013-14 dated September 26, 2013 on the captioned subject releasing 23rd update. We have since received from Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, UNP Division, copy of twenty-ninth update note dated October 30, 2013 and a PDF containing a hard copy of the compilation of all amendments made to the List in the third quarter of 2013 (1 July - 30 September 2013), forwarded by the Chairman of UN Security Council's 1267/1989. ( copy enclosed ).
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 DBOD.AML.BC. No. 44/14.01.001/2009-10 dated September 17, 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 circular dated September 17, 2009, mentioned above.
5. A link of press releases in which the relevant changes to the list are announced are posted on the Committee’s website at the following URL: http://www.un .org/sc/committees/1267/pressreleases.shtml
The names of individuals and entities removed from the List pursuant to a decision by the 1267 Committee and other information about de-listing may be found on the Committee's website at: http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/delisting.shtml
6. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(G.Sreekumar)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-2014/362 · issued 07 Nov 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 list with the 29th update and Q3 2013 compilation from the UN.
Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Freeze funds and assets of any matched entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and acknowledge receipt of this circular.
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 (All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, All India Financial Institutions), your first concrete step on “UAPA Sanctions List Update: Q3 2013 Compliance” is: “Update your sanctions list with the 29th update and Q3 2013 compilation from the UN.” (RBI issued this 07 Nov 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-2014/362 -- UAPA Sanctions List Update: Q3 2013 Compliance
Issued: 07 Nov 2013
Action required: Update your sanctions list with the 29th update and Q3 2013 compilation from the UN.
Action required: Screen all new account applications against the updated list before onboarding.
Action required: Scan all existing accounts to identify any matches with the updated list.
Action required: Freeze funds and assets of any matched entities as per paragraph 6 of the September 17, 2009 circular.
Action required: Ensure compliance with the UAPA Order dated August 27, 2009, and acknowledge receipt of this circular.
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=8557&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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