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RBI Circular on UNSCR 1518 Sanctions List Update

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-21/85 · issued 25 Jan 2021 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI circular DOR.AML.No.32/14.06.001/2020-21 dated Jan 25, 2021, directs all regulated entities to note the removal of two individuals from the UNSCR 1518 sanctions list and ensure compliance with UNSC resolutions.
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
How it plays out — a real example

A compliance officer at a bank in Mumbai checks the new RBI circular and sees two names removed from the UN sanctions list. She updates the bank's screening software so that when a customer named Zuhaar Talib applies for a loan, the system no longer flags him as a risk, allowing the loan officer to process the application normally.

What changed

The circular updates the UNSCR 1518 sanctions list by removing two individuals (Zuhaar Talib Abd-al-Sattar al-Naqib and Amir Rashid Muhammad al-Ubaidi) and advises regulated entities to take note and comply.

What it means for you

Banks and lenders must update their sanctions screening lists to remove these individuals and continue adhering to UNSC resolution requirements.

What you must do

Who it affects

All regulated entities as defined by RBI, including banks, NBFCs, and financial institutions

❓ Common questions

What is the purpose of this circular?

To communicate the removal of two individuals from the UNSCR 1518 sanctions list and direct regulated entities to take note and ensure compliance.

Are there any new requirements introduced?

No new general AML requirements; the circular specifically updates the sanctions list and reiterates compliance obligations under existing Master Directions.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2020-21/85 DOR.AML.No.32/14.06.001/2020-21 January 25, 2021 The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities Madam/Dear Sir, Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) - 1518 (2003) Sanctions Committee List – Updated UNSCR 1518 list and Removal of Two Individuals from the Sanctions List Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on December 18, 2020 , in terms of which “Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967, they do not have any account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and entities, suspected of having terrorist links, which are approved by and periodically circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).” Further, in terms of Section 53 of the Master Direction, REs have to take note of other UNSC Resolutions circulated by the Reserve Bank in respect of any other jurisdictions/ entities from time to time. 2. In this regard, it is advised that the UNSC Committee established pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003) has approved the removal of the following individuals from its List of Individuals and Entities subject to the assets freeze set out by paragraphs 19 and 23 of Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. A. Individuals IQi.031 Name: 1: ZUHAIR 2: TALIB 3: ABD-AL-SATTAR 4: AL-NAQIB Name (original script): زهير طالب عبد الستار النقيب Title: na Designation: na DOB: Approximately 1948 POB: na Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Iraq Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 27 Jun. 2003 Other information: IQi.033 Name: 1: AMIR 2: RASHID 3: MUHAMMAD 4: AL-UBAIDI Name (original script): عامر راشد محمد العبيدي Title: na Designation: na DOB: 1939 POB: Baghdad, Iraq Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Iraq Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 27 Jun. 2003 Other information: 3. The UNSC press release concerning the amendment to the list is available at URL: http://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1518/press-releases and the latest version of the Sanctions list pertaining to Iraq is available at: http://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1518/materials 4. An updated and consolidated list of all the Sanction Committees is available at the following URL: www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/un-sc-consolidated-list . 5. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communication and ensure meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Vivek Srivastava) General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-21/85 · issued 25 Jan 2021. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All regulated entities as defined by RBI, including banks, NBFCs, and financial institutions), your first concrete step on “RBI Circular on UNSCR 1518 Sanctions List Update” is: “Take note of the removal of the two individuals from the UNSCR 1518 sanctions list.” (RBI issued this 25 Jan 2021).

  1. Circular: RBI/2020-21/85 -- RBI Circular on UNSCR 1518 Sanctions List Update
  2. Issued: 25 Jan 2021
  3. Action required: Take note of the removal of the two individuals from the UNSCR 1518 sanctions list.
  4. Action required: Update internal sanctions screening lists accordingly.
  5. Action required: Ensure meticulous compliance with UNSC resolutions as per Master Direction on KYC.
  6. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  7. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  8. 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

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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=12015&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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