WMD Act Designated List Updated: UNSC Sanctions Amendments
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/48 · issued 04 Jul 2023 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to update their sanctions screening with the latest UNSC amendments to the DPRK and Iran designated lists under 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.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks and other RBI-regulated companies must update their computer systems that check customer names against banned lists (sanctions screening) with the newest changes from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for North Korea (DPRK) and Iran.
The updated banned list (designated list) is based on the January 30, 2023 order under the WMD Act (a law stopping weapons of mass destruction) and includes changes shown by strikethrough (deleted) and underline (new) in the UNSC entries.
If a bank does not follow these rules, it can face punishment from regulators (regulatory action) and damage to its reputation (reputational risk).
Compliance teams must be trained on the specific strikethrough and underline changes in the UNSC entries to correctly identify banned individuals and entities.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch operations officer in Indore, Priya, is processing a new customer application. She first checks the latest UNSC sanctions list for North Korea and Iran, which her bank updated after the RBI's July 2023 circular. She sees that a name on the list now has a strikethrough, meaning it's no longer banned, but a new name is underlined. Priya carefully screens the customer against the updated list, ensuring no matches, and documents her check for the audit team.
What changed
The UNSC Committee under resolution 1718(2006) amended certain entries on its Sanctions List for individuals and entities. RBI has communicated these amendments to regulated entities, updating the designated list referenced in the January 30, 2023 order under Section 12A of the WMD Act.
What it means for you
Banks and lenders must immediately update their KYC and sanctions screening systems to reflect the latest UNSC changes. Non-compliance with these designated lists can lead to regulatory action and reputational risk.
What you must do
Update internal sanctions screening databases with the latest UNSC DPRK and Iran lists from the provided URLs.
Ensure all customer due diligence processes reference the amended designated list as per the January 30, 2023 order.
Train compliance teams on the specific strikethrough/underline changes in the UNSC entries.
Document compliance steps for audit and regulatory review.
Who it affects
All RBI-regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML/KYC teams, Sanctions screening operations
❓ Common questions
What is the source of the updated designated list?
The UNSC Committee established under resolution 1718(2006) amended its Sanctions List for DPRK and Iran. RBI has communicated these changes to regulated entities.
Where can I access the latest UNSC sanctions lists?
The latest lists are available on the UN Security Council website at https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1718 for DPRK and https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/2231/list for Iran.
What is the legal basis for this compliance requirement?
Section 12A of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005, and the Master Direction on KYC dated February 25, 2016 (as amended).
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2023-24/48
DOR.AML.REC.24/14.06.001/2023-24
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 (Amendments)
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 “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 January 30, 2023, by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India (Annex III of the Master Direction on Know Your Customer).”
2. In this connection, a reference is invited to our circular DOR.AML.REC.23/14.06.001/2023-24 dated July 04, 2023 , communicating thereby the Consolidated Lists of UNSC Designated / Sanctioned Individuals and Entities under the UNSC Resolutions relating to non-proliferation.
3. In this regard, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GoI has informed that the UNSC Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718(2006) 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 January 30, 2023 is amended in accordance with the changes in these relevant entries.
4. 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
5. The 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/2023-24/48 · issued 04 Jul 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All RBI-regulated entities (banks, NBFCs, payment systems, etc.), Compliance and AML/KYC teams, Sanctions screening operations), your first concrete step on “WMD Act Designated List Updated: UNSC Sanctions Amendments” is: “Update internal sanctions screening databases with the latest UNSC DPRK and Iran lists from the provided URLs.” (RBI issued this 04 Jul 2023).
Action required: Update internal sanctions screening databases with the latest UNSC DPRK and Iran lists from the provided URLs.
Action required: Ensure all customer due diligence processes reference the amended designated list as per the January 30, 2023 order.
Action required: Train compliance teams on the specific strikethrough/underline changes in the UNSC entries.
Action required: Document compliance steps for audit and regulatory review.
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=12522&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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