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RBI Updates WMD Act Sanctions List for DPRK and Iran

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/47 · issued 04 Jul 2023 · ~2 min read

Quick answerRBI has circulated the consolidated UNSC designated list of sanctioned individuals and entities under the WMD Act, 2005, covering DPRK and Iran. Regulated entities must ensure meticulous compliance with this list as per the 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 check their customer lists against a new government list of bad people and groups from North Korea (DPRK) and Iran.
This list is called the 'designated list' and comes from the UN Security Council (a group of countries that make rules for the world).
If a bank finds a customer on this list, they must follow special rules from the RBI (India's bank boss) to stop helping bad activities.
Banks must update their computer systems that screen customers to include this new list.
Compliance staff (people who make sure rules are followed) must be trained on this list and the rules.

How it plays out — a real example

A KYC & compliance officer in Indore is checking a new customer's documents. She runs the customer's name through her bank's AML/KYC system, which now includes the updated UNSC sanctions list for DPRK and Iran. The system flags a match, so she immediately stops the loan process and reports it to her compliance team, following the RBI's rules to prevent any illegal activity.

What changed

RBI has shared the consolidated list of UNSC-designated/sanctioned individuals and entities related to non-proliferation on DPRK and Iran, as informed by the Ministry of External Affairs. This list serves as the 'designated list' under the January 30, 2023 order for implementing Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005.

What it means for you

Banks and other regulated entities must cross-check their customer databases against this updated consolidated sanctions list. Non-compliance with Section 12A of the WMD Act could lead to regulatory action, so integrating this list into your AML/KYC screening processes is critical.

What you must do

Update your AML/KYC screening systems with the consolidated UNSC sanctions list for DPRK and Iran provided in the annex.
Ensure meticulous compliance with the procedure for implementing Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005, as per the KYC Master Direction.
Regularly monitor the UN Security Council websites for the latest versions of the sanctions lists.
Train compliance staff on the updated designated list and the obligations under the WMD Act.

Who it affects

All regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment system operators, etc.), AML/KYC compliance teams, Customer onboarding and screening departments

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Decoded by BankPulse 2026-06-18 04:27 IST
Later amended by — WMD Act Compliance: UNSC Sanctions List Updated

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

What is the 'designated list' referred to in this circular?

It is the consolidated list of UNSC-sanctioned individuals and entities under resolutions related to non-proliferation on DPRK and Iran, provided by the Ministry of External Affairs. This list is used for implementing Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005.

Where can I find the latest UNSC sanctions lists?

The latest versions are accessible on the UN Security Council's website at the URLs provided in the circular: one for DPRK sanctions and one for Iran sanctions.

What happens if we don't comply with this circular?

Non-compliance with Section 12A of the WMD Act and the KYC Master Direction could attract regulatory penalties. Meticulous compliance is mandatory for all regulated entities.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)

Amended by WMD Act Compliance: UNSC Sanctions List Updated

RBI’s words: “the ‘designated list’ … communicated vide our circular DOR.AML.REC.23/14.06.001/2023-24 dated July 04, 2023 is amended”

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI

RBI/2023-24/47
 DOR.AML.REC.23/14.06.001/2023-24
 July 04, 2023
 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 (Consolidated)
 Please refer to Section 52 and Section 53 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 as amended on May 04, 2023 (MD on KYC), in terms of which “the 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” as laid down in terms of Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005 vide Order dated January 30, 2023 by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India (Ref. Annex III of the MD on KYC).”
 2. In this connection, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India has informed about the Consolidated Lists of UNSC Designated / Sanctioned Individuals and Entities under the UNSC Resolutions relating to non-proliferation on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran. The consolidated lists are enclosed in the Annex . It is also informed that this is the ‘ designated list ’ as referred in Para 2.1 and other relevant Paras of the aforementioned Order dated January 30, 2023, and for the purposes of implementation of the provisions of Section12A of the WMD Act 2005.
 3. The latest version of the UNSC sanctions lists on DPRK & Iran are accessible on the UN Security Council’s website at the following URLs:
 https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1718 
 https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/2231/list 
 4. All REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned 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/2023-24/47 · issued 04 Jul 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 AML/KYC screening systems with the consolidated UNSC sanctions list for DPRK and Iran provided in the annex.

📜 Compliance

Ensure meticulous compliance with the procedure for implementing Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005, as per the KYC Master Direction.
Regularly monitor the UN Security Council websites for the latest versions of the sanctions lists.
Train compliance staff on the updated designated list and the obligations under the WMD Act.

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 system operators, etc.), AML/KYC compliance teams, Customer onboarding and screening departments), your first concrete step on “RBI Updates WMD Act Sanctions List for DPRK and Iran” is: “Update your AML/KYC screening systems with the consolidated UNSC sanctions list for DPRK and Iran provided in the annex.” (RBI issued this 04 Jul 2023).

Circular: RBI/2023-24/47 -- RBI Updates WMD Act Sanctions List for DPRK and Iran
Issued: 04 Jul 2023
Action required: Update your AML/KYC screening systems with the consolidated UNSC sanctions list for DPRK and Iran provided in the annex.
Action required: Ensure meticulous compliance with the procedure for implementing Section 12A of the WMD Act, 2005, as per the KYC Master Direction.
Action required: Regularly monitor the UN Security Council websites for the latest versions of the sanctions lists.
Action required: Train compliance staff on the updated designated list and the obligations under the WMD Act.
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.

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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=12521&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.