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UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 102 Entries Amended

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/185 · issued 17 Mar 2023 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to update their screening against the amended UNSC ISIL & Al-Qaida sanctions list (102 entries changed). No accounts must exist for listed individuals/entities. Immediate compliance with KYC Master Direction sections 51-53 is required.
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 KYC & compliance officer in Indore must immediately review their customer base against the updated UNSC sanctions list. If they find any accounts linked to listed individuals/entities, they must freeze these accounts and report them to the authorities. This ensures compliance with RBI's KYC Master Direction and prevents any potential regulatory action.

What changed

The UN Security Council approved amendments to 102 entries on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List following the 2021 Annual Review. RBI has communicated these changes to all regulated entities, updating the list they must screen against.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must immediately cross-check their customer base against the amended UNSC sanctions list. Any accounts linked to the updated entries must be frozen and reported. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action under UAPA and KYC guidelines.

What you must do

Who it affects

All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, Other regulated entities under RBI's KYC Master Direction

❓ Common questions

What is the source of the updated sanctions list?

The UN Security Council Committee approved amendments to 102 entries on its ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, as per press release SC/15229 dated March 15, 2023.

What should we do if a customer requests delisting?

Forward the request electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs. Customers can also approach the UN Ombudsperson for delisting.

Which sections of the KYC Master Direction apply?

Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the Master Direction on KYC (dated February 25, 2016, as amended) along with the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2022-23/185 DOR.AML.REC.106/14.06.001/2022-23 March 17, 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 102 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/15229 dated March 15, 2023 wherein the Security Council Committee approved amendment to 102 entries (attached in 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 these entries were amended following the 2021 Annual Review conducted in accordance with paragraphs 90 and 91 of resolution 2610 (2021). 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, (Santosh Kumar Panigrahy) Chief General Manager Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/185 · issued 17 Mar 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC list of 102 entries.
📜 Compliance
  • Review all existing customer accounts to ensure no matches with the updated list.
  • Freeze and report any accounts identified as belonging to listed individuals/entities.
  • Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA.
  • Document compliance actions for audit and regulatory review.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (All scheduled commercial banks, Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), Payment system operators, Other regulated entities under RBI's KYC Master Direction), your first concrete step on “UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 102 Entries Amended” is: “Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC list of 102 entries.” (RBI issued this 17 Mar 2023).

  1. Circular: RBI/2022-23/185 -- UNSC Sanctions List Updated: 102 Entries Amended
  2. Issued: 17 Mar 2023
  3. Action required: Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC list of 102 entries.
  4. Action required: Review all existing customer accounts to ensure no matches with the updated list.
  5. Action required: Freeze and report any accounts identified as belonging to listed individuals/entities.
  6. Action required: Forward any delisting requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA.
  7. Action required: Document compliance actions for audit and regulatory review.
  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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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12461&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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