HomeCirculars › RBI/2020-21/110

RBI Updates KYC Master Direction for UAPA Compliance

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Quick answerRBI has amended its KYC Master Direction to align with MHA's revised UAPA order of February 2, 2021, replacing the earlier 2019 order. Regulated entities must now follow the updated procedure and refer to MHA's website for the nodal officer list.

What changed

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a revised UAPA order on February 2, 2021, superseding the March 14, 2019 order. Consequently, RBI amended Sections 52 and 54 of the KYC Master Direction to reflect the new order and added a requirement to check MHA's website for the nodal officer list.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must update their internal KYC procedures to comply with the latest UAPA order from MHA. The change ensures that entities use the most current government directives for implementing Section 51A of UAPA, including accessing the nodal officer list online.

What you must do

Who it affects

All regulated entities under RBI (banks, NBFCs, payment system operators, etc.), KYC compliance teams, AML/CFT officers

What is the key change in this amendment?

The amendment replaces the reference to the March 14, 2019 UAPA order with the revised February 2, 2021 order from MHA, and adds that the list of nodal officers for UAPA is available on MHA's website.

When does this amendment take effect?

The changes come into force with immediate effect from the date of the circular, March 23, 2021.

Do we need to update our KYC policy documents?

Yes, you must update your internal KYC policies and procedures to reflect the revised UAPA order and the new source for the nodal officer list.

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Official source: RBI/2020-21/110 on rbi.org.in ↗
AI-drafted · 3-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of Vikram Jain · published · 19 Jun 2026, 12:30 IST
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12042&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by Vikram Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; never reproduces RBI text verbatim.