RBI Updates UNSC Sanctions Lists for UAPA Compliance
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/19 · issued 08 Apr 2021 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs all regulated entities to update their screening databases with the latest UNSC sanctions list amendments, including a new entry for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir under ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions and ongoing DPRK list checks.
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 add the new name 'Abu Bakar Ba'asyir' to their watchlist of people linked to terrorist groups (ISIL and Al-Qaida).
Every day, banks must check the government's website (MEA) for any changes to the list of people from North Korea (DPRK) who are banned.
If a customer asks to be removed from the banned list, the bank must send that request to a senior officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Joint Secretary, CTCR).
Banks must freeze the money and stop any transactions for anyone on these UN lists, or they could face punishment under Indian law (UAPA).
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Priya, updates her bank's screening system with the new UN list entry for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. The next morning, she checks the MEA website for any changes to the DPRK sanctions list, ensuring her daily compliance is complete and no banned person's account is active.
What changed
The Ministry of External Affairs forwarded a UNSC press release (SC/14489, April 6, 2021) amending the ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List by adding one individual: Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. Regulated entities must now screen against this updated list and continue daily verification of the UNSCR 1718 DPRK sanctions list on the MEA website.
What it means for you
Banks and other regulated entities must immediately update their AML/KYC screening systems to include the new UNSC designation. Failure to freeze assets or block transactions for listed individuals could lead to regulatory action under UAPA. The circular also reinforces the need for daily checks on DPRK sanctions lists, increasing operational vigilance.
What you must do
Update your sanctions screening database with the new UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida list entry for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.
Verify daily the UNSCR 1718 DPRK sanctions list on the MEA website for any changes.
Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA electronically.
Ensure compliance teams are aware of the Ombudsperson process for delisting requests via the UN website.
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the key change in this circular?
The UNSC amended its ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions list to include one new individual, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. Regulated entities must freeze assets and block transactions for this person.
How often must we check the DPRK sanctions list?
The circular mandates daily verification of the UNSCR 1718 DPRK sanctions list on the MEA website to capture any additions, deletions, or modifications.
What should we do if a customer requests delisting from the UN sanctions list?
Forward the request electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs. Customers can also approach the UN Ombudsperson directly via the UN website.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2021-22/19
DoR.AML.REC.03/14.06.001/2021-22
April 08, 2021
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967 and Security Council Resolution: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/ 1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List & Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)Order, 2017
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on April 01, 2021, 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 and Chapter IX (‘Requirements/obligations under International Agreements Communications from International Agencies’) which, inter alia, mandates the REs to take note of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) circulated by the Reserve Bank in respect of any jurisdictions/ entities.
2. In this regard, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has now forwarded the following Press Release issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities regarding changes in the List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of UNSC resolution 2368 (2017), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
Note SC/14489 dated 6 April 2021 regarding amendment of 1 individual in UNSC’s 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List viz. [ QDi.217 Name : 1: ABU BAKAR 2: BA'ASYIR 3: na 4: na].
The UNSC press release concerning amendments to the list is available at
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
3. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban are available at:
http://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
4. The details of the sanctions measures and exemptions are available at the following
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information
5. As per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for delisting received by any Regulated Entity (RE) is to be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA for consideration. Individuals, groups, undertakings or entities seeking to be removed from the Security Council’s ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List can submit their request for delisting to an independent and impartial Ombudsperson who has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. More details are available at the following
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ombudsperson/application
6. Further, in case of Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea, REs shall adhere to the ‘Implementation of Security Council Resolution on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Order, 2017’ as amended from time to time by the Central Government and shall also verify every day, the ‘UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List of Designated Individuals and Entities‘, as hyperlinked in ‘Implementation of UNSC Sanctions (DPRK)‘ webpage of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) website at https://www.mea.gov.in/Implementation-of-UNSC-Sanctions-DPRK.htm to take note of the modifications to the list in terms of additions, deletions or other changes.
7. In view of the above, REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned instructions regarding UNSC communication & Security Council Resolution on DPRK and ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Vivek Srivastava)
General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/19 · issued 08 Apr 2021. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), AML/KYC compliance teams, Sanctions screening operations), your first concrete step on “RBI Updates UNSC Sanctions Lists for UAPA Compliance” is: “Update your sanctions screening database with the new UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida list entry for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.” (RBI issued this 08 Apr 2021).
Action required: Update your sanctions screening database with the new UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida list entry for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir.
Action required: Verify daily the UNSCR 1718 DPRK sanctions list on the MEA website for any changes.
Action required: Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA electronically.
Action required: Ensure compliance teams are aware of the Ombudsperson process for delisting requests via the UN website.
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
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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=12073&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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