Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/12 · issued 15 Apr 2026 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates immediate compliance with UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List amendments. Four entries updated (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147); regulated entities must freeze assets and block accounts of newly listed or amended individuals/entities.
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 freeze accounts and block transactions of any person or group on the UNSC Taliban Sanctions List, which was updated on April 13, 2026.
Four entries on the list were changed (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147) – banks must check all customer records against these updates.
If a match is found, the bank must freeze the account without delay and report it to FIU-IND (the government's financial crime unit) -- immediately, not within a specific 24-hour window (that figure isn't in the source).
Banks must keep their internal watchlists and anti-money-laundering systems updated with the latest UNSC changes.
This rule applies to all banks, finance companies, and other regulated financial institutions in India.
How it plays out — a real example
Ravi, a KYC & compliance officer in Indore, receives the RBI circular about the updated Taliban Sanctions List. He immediately runs his branch's customer database against the four amended entries (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147) and finds no matches, so he updates the branch's watchlist system and notes the date in his compliance log, ensuring his branch stays safe from regulatory action.
What changed
The UNSC 1988 Committee amended four entries on the Taliban Sanctions List via press release SC/16336 dated April 13, 2026. RBI circular DOR.AML.REC.2/14.06.001/2026-27 (April 15, 2026) directs all regulated entities to implement these changes under Section 51A of UAPA, 1967, referencing the KYC Directions, 2025 (dated November 28, 2025, amended as on December 29, 2025).
What it means for you
Banks and lenders must immediately screen their customer databases against the updated list and freeze accounts/assets of any matched individuals/entities. Non-compliance risks regulatory action under UAPA and RBI KYC Directions. This is a recurring obligation—entities must monitor UNSC updates continuously.
What you must do
Cross-check all customer records against the amended UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List entries (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147; verify full list from UNSC press release).
Freeze accounts and block transactions of any matched individual/entity without prior notice, and report the match to FIU-IND and the bank’s nodal officer without delay -- this circular (and the underlying UAPA Section 51A framework) requires immediate action, not a specific 24-hour window; that exact figure does not appear in the source and should not be treated as the compliance deadline.
Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the April 13, 2026 amendments.
Ensure board-approved policy covers timely implementation of UNSC sanctions updates without delay.
Who it affects
Commercial Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, Urban Co-operative Banks, Rural Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Local Area Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies, Asset Reconstruction Companies, All India Financial Institutions
❓ Common questions
What is the deadline for implementing these UNSC list amendments?
The circular is effective from April 15, 2026. Regulated entities must act immediately—no grace period is provided. Delays may attract penalties under UAPA and RBI KYC Directions.
Do we need to report matches to anyone besides freezing assets?
Yes. Report any matches to the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and the designated nodal officer, as per Section 51A of UAPA and RBI KYC Directions, 2025.
Are only the two individuals listed in the circular affected?
No. The circular mentions four entries were amended (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147). The source text provides details for all four; you must obtain the full updated list from the UNSC press release or MEA communication.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2026-27/12
DOR.AML.REC.2/14.06.001/2026-27
April 15, 2026
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of the Commercial Banks,
Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, Urban Co-operative Banks,
Rural Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Local Area Banks,
Non-Banking Financial Companies, Asset Reconstruction Companies,
All India Financial Institutions
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA, 1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1988 (2011) Taliban Sanctions List: Amendment of 04 Entries
Please refer to Chapter IX on “Requirements/obligations under International Agreements - Communications from International Agencies” of the Reserve Bank of India - Know Your Customer, Directions, 2025 dated November 28, 2025 (amended as on December 29, 2025) (“Directions”), as per which, regulated entity shall ensure that in terms of section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967 and amendments thereto, it does 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), Government of India has informed about the UNSC press release SC/16336 dated April 13, 2026 wherein the Security Council Committee established and maintained pursuant to Security Council resolution 1988 (2011) has enacted amendments to the ‘Taliban Sanctions List’, which includes names of individuals and entities associated with the Taliban.
2.1 The Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and/or underline in the entries below on its 1988 List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2816 (2026), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
A. Individuals
TAi.002 Name: 1: MOHAMMAD 2: HASSAN 3: AKHUND 4: na
Name (original script): محمد حسن آخوند
Title: a) Mullah b) Haji Designation: a) First Deputy, Council of Ministers under the Taliban regime (1996-2001) b) Foreign Minister under the Taliban regime (1996-2001) c) Governor of Kandahar under the Taliban regime(1996-2001) d) Political Advisor of Mullah Mohammed Omar DOB: a) Between 1955 and 1958 b) Between 1945 and 1950 POB: Pashmul village, Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: Afghanistan number P04581926, issued on 7 Aug. 2024, issued in Kandahar, Afghanistan (expires 7 Aug. 2034) National identification no: na Address: Kabul, Afghanistan Listed on: 25 Jan. 2001 (amended on 3 Sep. 2003, 20 Dec. 2005, 9 Jul. 2007, 21 Sep. 2007, 29 Nov. 2011, 10 Mar. 2026 , 13 Apr. 2026 ) Other information: A close associate of Mullah Mohammed Omar (TAi.004). Member of Taliban Supreme Council as at Dec. 2009. Belongs to Kakar Baabar tribe. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 21 Jul. 2010. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
TAi.024 Name: 1: ABDUL GHANI 2: BARADAR 3: ABDUL AHMAD TURK 4: na
Name (original script): عبدالغنی برادر عبد الاحمد ترک
Title: Mullah Designation: Deputy Minister of Defence under the Taliban regime (1996-2001) DOB: a) Approximately 1968 b) 29 Sep. 1963 POB: Yatimak village, Dehrawood District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: a) Mullah Baradar Akhund b) Abdul Ghani Baradar (previously listed as) Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: a) Afghanistan number D0009751, issued on 16 Oct. 2021, issued in Kabul, Afghanistan (expires 16 Oct. 2026) b) Afghanistan number P04999950, issued on 4 Feb. 2025 (expires 4 Feb. 2035) National identification no: na Address: Kabul, Afghanistan Listed on: 23 Feb. 2001 ( amended on 3 Sep. 2003, 18 Jul. 2007, 21 Sep. 2007, 13 Feb. 2012, 10 Mar. 2026 , 13 Apr. 2026 ) Other information: Belongs to Popalzai tribe. Senior Taliban military commander and member of Taliban Quetta Council as of May 2007. Height 173cm. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 1 Jun. 2010. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
TAi.026 Name: 1: AMIR KHAN 2: MOTAQI 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): امیر خان متقی
Title: Mullah Designation: a) Minister of Education under the Taliban regime (1996-2001) b) Taliban representative in UN-led talks under the Taliban regime (1996-2001) DOB: a) Approximately 1968 b) 25 Dec. 1970 c) 1971 POB: a) Zurmat District, Paktia Province, Afghanistan b) Shin Kalai village, Nad-e-Ali District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: a) Amir Khan Muttaqi b) AMIR KHAN MUTAQI Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: a) Afghanistan number D0009716, issued on 25 Sep. 2021, issued in Kabul, Afghanistan (Name in Latin script: Amir Khan Mutaqi, name in original script: اميرخان متقي ; expires 25 Sep. 2026) b) Afghanistan number D0009803, issued on 13 Dec. 2021 (expires on 13 Dec. 2026) National identification no: na Address: Kabul, Afghanistan Listed on: 25 Jan. 2001 (amended on 3 Sep. 2003, 21 Sep. 2007, 29 Nov. 2011, 10 Mar. 2026 , 13 Apr. 2026 ) Other information: Member of the Taliban Supreme Council as of June 2007. Believed to be in Afghanistan/Pakistan border area. Belongs to Sulaimankhel tribe. Height 170 cm. Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 21 Jul. 2010. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
TAi.147 Name: 1: GUL 2: AGHA 3: ISHAKZAI 4: na
Name (original script): كُل آغا اسحاقزی
Title: na Designation: na DOB: a) Approximately 1972 b) 27 Jul. 1976 POB: Band-e Temur, Maiwand District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan Good quality a.k.a.: a) Mullah Gul Agha b) Mullah Gul Agha Akhund c) HIDAYATULLAH BADRI d) HEDAYATULLAH HEDAYAT e) HEDAYATULLAH BADRI (name in original script: هدایت الله بدري ) Low quality a.k.a.: a) Hidayatullah b) Haji Hidayatullah c) Hayadatullah Nationality: Afghanistan Passport no: a) Afghanistan number D0010408, issued on 26 Aug. 2024, issued in Kabul, Afghanistan (Name in Latin script: Hedayatullah Badri; name in original script: هدایت الله بدري ; expires 26 Aug. 2029) b) Afghanistan number P03318995, issued on 29 Jul. 2020 (Name in Latin script: Hedayatullah Hedayat, expires 29 Jul. 2025) National identification no: na Address: Ibni-Sina Watt, Kabul, Afghanistan Listed on: 20 Jul. 2010 (amended on 29 Nov. 2011, 31 Dec. 2013, 10 Mar. 2026, 13 Apr. 2026 ) Other information: Member of a Taliban Council that coordinates the collection of zakat (Islamic tax) from Baluchistan Province, Pakistan. Head of Taliban Financial Commission as at mid-2013. Associated with Mullah Mohammed Omar (TAi.004). Served as Omar's principal finance officer and one of his closest advisors. Belongs to Ishaqzai tribe. Height: 156cm. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
3. Press release dated April 13, 2026 regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16336.doc.htm
4. In view of the above, regulated entities are advised to take appropriate action in terms of Chapter IX of the aforementioned Directions and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on April 22, 2024) annexed to the directions.
5. 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
6. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for de-listing received by any bank, stock exchanges/ depositories, intermediaries regulated by SEBI and Insurance companies 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 Taliban Sanctions List can submit their request for delisting to either directly to the Focal Point for Delisting established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006) or through his/her State of residence or nationality. More details are available at the following URL:
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1988/materials/procedures_delisting
7. Regulated entities are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Veena Srivastava)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/12 · issued 15 Apr 2026. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the April 13, 2026 amendments.
📜 Compliance
Cross-check all customer records against the amended UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List entries (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147; verify full list from UNSC press release).
Freeze accounts and block transactions of any matched individual/entity without prior notice, and report the match to FIU-IND and the bank’s nodal officer without delay -- this circular (and the underlying UAPA Section 51A framework) requires immediate action, not a specific 24-hour window; that exact figure does not appear in the source and should not be treated as the compliance deadline.
Ensure board-approved policy covers timely implementation of UNSC sanctions updates without delay.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Commercial Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, Urban Co-operative Banks, Rural Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Local Area Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies, Asset Reconstruction Companies, All India Financial Institutions), your first concrete step on “UAPA Section 51A: UNSC Taliban Sanctions List Updated – 4 Entries Amended” is: “Cross-check all customer records against the amended UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List entries (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147; verify full list from UNSC press release).” (RBI issued this 15 Apr 2026).
Action required: Cross-check all customer records against the amended UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List entries (TAi.002, TAi.024, TAi.026, TAi.147; verify full list from UNSC press release).
Action required: Freeze accounts and block transactions of any matched individual/entity without prior notice, and report the match to FIU-IND and the bank’s nodal officer without delay -- this circular (and the underlying UAPA Section 51A framework) requires immediate action, not a specific 24-hour window; that exact figure does not appear in the source and should not be treated as the compliance deadline.
Action required: Update internal AML/KYC systems and watchlists to reflect the April 13, 2026 amendments.
Action required: Ensure board-approved policy covers timely implementation of UNSC sanctions updates without delay.
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=13371&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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