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UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 29 Entries Amended

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/172 · issued 03 Feb 2023 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to immediately update their screening systems with the latest UNSC 1267/1989 ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list amendments affecting 29 entries, and ensure no accounts or transactions with listed individuals/entities.
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 in Mumbai updates the bank's AML screening database with the latest UNSC sanctions list amendments to ensure they are not doing business with anyone linked to terrorism. She then cross-checks all existing and new customer accounts against the updated list and freezes any matching accounts. By doing so, she helps prevent the bank from violating any regulations and facing potential penalties."]

What changed

The UN Security Council Committee amended 29 entries on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, as per press release SC/15190 dated February 3, 2023. RBI has communicated these changes to all regulated entities, requiring them to update their compliance checks accordingly.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must promptly incorporate these 29 amendments into their AML/KYC screening processes to avoid violating Section 51A of UAPA, 1967. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action, including penalties, and reputational risk. Entities must also follow the delisting procedure prescribed by MHA for any requests received.

What you must do

Who it affects

All scheduled commercial banks, Cooperative banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, All other regulated entities under RBI

❓ Common questions

What is the source of the updated sanctions list?

The UN Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015) issued press release SC/15190 on February 3, 2023, amending 29 entries on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.

How should we handle a delisting request from a customer?

As per MHA instructions, any delisting request received by a regulated entity must be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs. Customers can also approach the UN Ombudsperson directly via the provided URL.

What are the consequences of not updating our screening systems?

Failure to comply may result in regulatory action under UAPA, 1967 and RBI's KYC Master Direction, including penalties, as maintaining accounts or processing transactions for listed entities is prohibited.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2022-2023/172 DOR.AML.REC.100/14.06.001/2022-23 February 03, 2023 The Chairpersons/CEOs of all the Regulated Entities Madam/Dear Sir, Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA,1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/ 1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List (Amendments to 29 entries) Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 10, 2021 (MD on KYC), 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).” 2. In this connection, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has informed about UNSC press release SC/15190 dated February 03, 2023 wherein the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities enacted the amendments specified with underline and strikethrough in the entries mentioned in the annex on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. 3. The UNSC press release concerning amendments to the list is available at URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases 4. The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information 5. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of sections 51, 52 and 53 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 annexed to the MD on KYC. 6. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban are available at: www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials 7. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for delisting received by any 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 8. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Harsh Kumar Gautam) General Manager Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-2023/172 · issued 03 Feb 2023. 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 scheduled commercial banks, Cooperative banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, All other regulated entities under RBI), your first concrete step on “UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 29 Entries Amended” is: “Update your AML screening databases with the latest UNSC sanctions list amendments (29 entries) immediately.” (RBI issued this 03 Feb 2023).

  1. Circular: RBI/2022-2023/172 -- UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 29 Entries Amended
  2. Issued: 03 Feb 2023
  3. Action required: Update your AML screening databases with the latest UNSC sanctions list amendments (29 entries) immediately.
  4. Action required: Cross-check all existing and new customer accounts against the updated list and freeze any matching accounts.
  5. Action required: Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs electronically.
  6. Action required: Ensure compliance with sections 51, 52, and 53 of the Master Direction on KYC and the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021.
  7. Action required: Monitor the UNSC press release page and sanctions list URLs regularly for future updates.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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.

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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=12448&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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