RBI Withdraws 15 Outdated Terror-Financing Circulars for NBFCs
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-2022/162 · issued 18 Feb 2022 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has withdrawn 15 circulars issued between 2011-2014 related to UN terror lists and UAPA compliance for NBFCs/RNBCs, effective February 18, 2022. These circulars are no longer operative, reducing regulatory clutter.
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
RBI has taken back 15 old circulars that were about terrorist lists and UAPA rules for NBFCs and RNBCs.
These circulars are no longer in force from the close of business on February 18, 2022.
NBFCs and RNBCs do not need to follow those specific circulars anymore, but they still must follow the real UAPA and UN sanctions laws.
Remove the withdrawn circulars from your internal checklists and keep your KYC/AML screening up to date with the current sanctions lists.
How it plays out — a real example
A loan officer named Ananya in a Mumbai NBFC checks the latest UN sanctions list before approving a loan. She smiles when she sees the old circular about terrorist lists is gone, knowing she only needs to follow the current legal requirements. This keeps her day smoother and her compliance clear.
What changed
RBI withdrew 15 circulars listed in the annexure, all dealing with lists of terrorist individuals/organizations under UNSCR 1267, 1822, 1988, 1989 and implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA, 1967. The withdrawal is effective from close of business on February 18, 2022.
What it means for you
NBFCs and RNBCs no longer need to reference these specific circulars for compliance; however, the underlying legal obligations under UAPA and UN sanctions remain in force. This cleanup reduces the volume of outdated instructions, simplifying compliance monitoring for lenders.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Remove these 15 circulars from your internal compliance checklists and reference documents.
Ensure your KYC/AML screening processes still align with current UAPA and UNSC sanctions lists, as the underlying requirements are unchanged.
Update your regulatory circular repository to reflect the withdrawal and avoid citing obsolete instructions.
Who it affects
All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Resident Non-Banking Financial Companies (RNBCs)
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective February 18, 2022
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 06:51 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Does this withdrawal mean we no longer need to screen against UN terror lists?
No. The withdrawal only removes these specific circulars; the statutory obligations under UAPA, 1967 and UN Security Council resolutions remain fully in effect.
Which circulars have been withdrawn?
Fifteen circulars issued between May 2011 and September 2014, all related to lists of terrorist individuals/organizations under UNSCR 1267, 1822, 1988, 1989 and implementation of Section 51-A of UAPA.
When did this change take effect?
The withdrawal became effective from close of business on February 18, 2022.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2021-2022/162
DoS.CO.PPG./SEC.09/11.01.005/2021-22
February 18, 2022
All NBFCs/ RNBCs
Madam/Dear Sir,
Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0) – Interim Recommendations – Withdrawal of Circulars
Please refer to the press release dated February 18, 2022 issued on the captioned subject.
2. The circulars listed in the Annexure are withdrawn with effect from close of business today.
Yours faithfully,
(Arnab Kumar Chowdhury)
Chief General Manager-in- Charge
Encl: As enclosed
Annexure
S.No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-2022/162 · issued 18 Feb 2022. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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=12234&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.