WMD Act Sanctions List Updated: UNSC 1718 DPRK Amendments
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/109 · issued 06 Jan 2024 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to update their compliance systems with the latest UNSC 1718 sanctions list amendments for DPRK, as notified by MEA. Daily verification of the list is required under KYC Master Direction.
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 update their computer systems with the newest list of banned people and companies from North Korea (DPRK).
Every day, banks must check the government's website (MEA) to see if the list has changed.
If a bank doesn't follow these rules, it can get in trouble with the RBI.
Compliance teams must be trained on the new list so they don't miss any banned names.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore, Priya, logs into her bank's sanctions screening system every morning. Today, she sees a new name added to the UNSC 1718 list for DPRK. She immediately updates the system so that if anyone with that name tries to open an account or take a loan, the bank will automatically block them. This keeps her bank safe from breaking the WMD Act rules.
What changed
The UNSC Committee under resolution 1718 has amended certain entries on its sanctions list for individuals and entities related to DPRK. These changes are reflected in the designated list under the WMD Act, 2005, and RBI has communicated the updated list to all regulated entities.
What it means for you
Banks and other regulated entities must immediately update their sanctions screening databases to include the latest amendments. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action, as meticulous compliance with the WMD Act and UNSC resolutions is mandatory under the KYC Master Direction.
What you must do
Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC 1718 list entries for DPRK.
Verify the latest list daily from MEA's website or UN Security Council's site.
Ensure compliance with the WMD Act, 2005 and the KYC Master Direction's Section 52 and 53.
Train compliance teams on the new amendments to avoid screening gaps.
Who it affects
All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML teams, Sanctions screening operations
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated sanctions list?
The UNSC Committee under resolution 1718 has amended the sanctions list for DPRK, and MEA has communicated these changes to RBI.
How often must we check the sanctions list?
As per KYC Master Direction Section 53, regulated entities must verify the list every day to account for any modifications.
What happens if we don't comply?
Non-compliance with the WMD Act and KYC Master Direction can lead to regulatory penalties and reputational risk.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/109
DOR.AML.REC.67/14.06.001/2023-24
January 06, 2024
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 12A of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005: Designated List (Amendments)
Please refer to Section 52 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on January 04, 2024 (MD on KYC), in terms of which, inter alia “Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure meticulous compliance with the “Procedure for Implementation of Section 12A of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005” laid down in terms of Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005 vide Order dated September 01, 2023, by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India (Annex III of the Master Direction on Know Your Customer).”
2. Further, in terms of Section 53 of our MD on KYC, “the REs shall verify every day, the ‘UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List of Designated Individuals and Entities’, as available at https://www.mea.gov.in/Implementation-of-UNSC-Sanctions-DPRK.htm , to take into account any modifications to the list in terms of additions, deletions or other changes and also ensure compliance with 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”.
3. A reference is also invited to our circular DOR.AML.REC.23/14.06.001/2023-24 dated July 04, 2023 , communicating thereby the Consolidated List of UNSC Designated / Sanctioned Individuals and Entities under the UNSC Resolutions relating to non-proliferation. Certain amendments to the entries in the List were notified vide our circulars DOR. AML.REC.24/14.06.001/2023-24 dated July 04, 2023 and DOR. AML.REC.33/14.06.001/2023-24 dated August 18, 2023 , respectively.
4. In this regard, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GoI has informed that the UNSC Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718(2006) has enacted the amendments, specified with strikethrough and/or underline in certain entries on its Sanctions List of individuals and entities ( enclosed with this circular). Hence, the ‘designated list’ as referred in Para 2.1 and other relevant paras of the aforementioned Order dated September 01, 2023 is amended in accordance with the changes in these relevant entries.
5. The latest version of the UNSC Sanctions lists on DPRK is accessible on the UN Security Council’s website at the following URLs:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1718/materials
6. The REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned communications and ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Saidutta Sangram Keshari Pradhan)
General Manager
Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/109 · issued 06 Jan 2024. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC 1718 list entries for DPRK.
📜 Compliance
Verify the latest list daily from MEA's website or UN Security Council's site.
Ensure compliance with the WMD Act, 2005 and the KYC Master Direction's Section 52 and 53.
Train compliance teams on the new amendments to avoid screening gaps.
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 regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML teams, Sanctions screening operations), your first concrete step on “WMD Act Sanctions List Updated: UNSC 1718 DPRK Amendments” is: “Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC 1718 list entries for DPRK.” (RBI issued this 06 Jan 2024).
Action required: Update your sanctions screening systems with the amended UNSC 1718 list entries for DPRK.
Action required: Verify the latest list daily from MEA's website or UN Security Council's site.
Action required: Ensure compliance with the WMD Act, 2005 and the KYC Master Direction's Section 52 and 53.
Action required: Train compliance teams on the new amendments to avoid screening gaps.
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
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=12595&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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