Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/134 · issued 11 Mar 2024 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to update their sanctions screening with the latest UNSC 1718 list amendments for DPRK. Check the MEA and UN websites daily for changes and ensure compliance with Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005.
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.
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 Order dated September 1, 2023. RBI has communicated these amendments via this circular, replacing the previous update from January 6, 2024.
What it means for you
Banks and other regulated entities must immediately update their internal sanctions screening systems to reflect the latest UNSC 1718 list amendments. Failure to screen against the current list could result in non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-proliferation financing obligations. This is a routine but critical update to ensure alignment with international sanctions.
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
Download the latest UNSC 1718 Sanctions List from the UN Security Council website or MEA page.
Update your AML/KYC screening systems with the amended entries (strikethrough/underline changes).
Verify daily the UNSC 1718 Sanctions List for any further modifications.
Ensure compliance with the WMD Act, 2005, Section 12A, as per the Master Direction on KYC.
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the source of the updated sanctions list?
The UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) has amended its Sanctions List for DPRK. The latest version is available on the UN website at https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1718/materials.
How often should we check the list?
RBI requires regulated entities to verify the UNSCR 1718 Sanctions List every day to account for any additions, deletions, or other changes.
What happens if we don't comply?
Non-compliance with the WMD Act and related KYC directions can lead to regulatory action, including penalties. Meticulous compliance is mandatory.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/134
DOR. AML.REC.83/14.06.001/2023-24 March 11, 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 and the last such amendment was notified vide our circular DOR.AML.REC.67/14.06.001/2023-24 dated January 06, 2024 .
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 at 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/2023-24/134 · issued 11 Mar 2024. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=12622&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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