HomeCirculars › RBI/2026-27/176

New UN Sanctions Entry Added – Banks Must Block Related Accounts

NBFC RegulationsKYC / AMLCo-operative Banks
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Issued by RBI: FY 2026-27
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📄 Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/176
Quick answerThe RBI has notified that a new individual, Hamidah Nabag G Ala from Uganda, has been added to the UN Security Council’s ISIL/Al‑Qaida sanctions list. All regulated entities must ensure no accounts are held for any listed person or entity, per Section 51A of the UAPA.

What changed

A single entry – Hamidah Nabag G Ala – was inserted into the UN sanctions list for ISIL/Al‑Qaida on 8 July 2026. The RBI’s latest direction reiterates the obligation under Section 51A of the UAPA to screen for such names. The amendment aligns with the UNSC press release SC/16407 and the related resolutions (1267, 1989, 2253, 2734).

What it means for you

Banks, NBFCs, ARCs and other regulated entities must update their KYC/AML screening tools to flag this new name and freeze any related accounts. Any de‑listing request must be routed electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR) of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Non‑compliance could attract regulatory action.

The rule, in the simplest words
  • Banks must block any account linked to a person on the UN's list of bad guys (terrorists).
  • A new person named Hamidah Nabag G Ala from Uganda was added to the list on July 8, 2026.
  • Banks must update their computer systems to flag this new name and freeze any related accounts right away.
  • If someone wants to be removed from the list, the bank must send the request electronically to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
How it plays out — a real example

A gold-loan officer in Indore checks her bank's customer list against the new UN sanctions entry. She finds a small savings account opened years ago under the name 'Hamidah Nabag G Ala' and immediately freezes it, following the RBI rule to block any accounts linked to listed individuals.

What you must do

Who it affects

Commercial banks, Small finance banks, Payment banks, Co‑operative banks, NBFCs and ARCs

Regulatory timeline

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

Where can I find the updated UN sanctions list?

The latest list is posted on the UN Security Council website at https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list and https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials (RBI/2026-27/176).

What is the procedure for handling a de‑listing request?

Any request must be sent electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR) of the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration, as per the RBI notice (RBI/2026-27/176).

What penalties apply for non‑compliance?

Failure to block accounts of listed persons or to follow the prescribed process may result in regulatory action under RBI’s AML framework (under verification – exact penalties not specified in the notice).

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2026-27/176 DOR.AML.REC.149/14.06.001/2026-27 July 09, 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 1267/ 1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Amendment of 1 Entry 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/16407, dated July 08, 2026 wherein the Security Council pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al‑Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and underline in the entry below on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2734 (2024), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. A. Individuals QDi.439 Name:  1: HAMIDAH 2: NABAG G ALA 3: na 4: na Name (original script):   حميدة ناباجالا Title:  na  Designation:  na DOB:  9 Mar. 1996   23 February 1989   POB:  Uganda  Good quality a.k.a.:  na  Low quality a.k.a.:  a) NABAGGALA b) NABAGGAKA c) HAMIDA d) HAMIDAH  Nationality:  Uganda  Passport no:   na   Uganda number A00044599 (expiry on 19 March 2029)  National identification no: na   CF89095102DDAE (expiry on 27 March 2025 )  Address:  Democratic Republic of the Congo  Listed on:  30 Mar. 2026 (amended on  8 Jul. 2026 )  Other information:  Works as a mediator in financing channels for ISIL in Central Africa, has been charged with financing a bombing that occurred in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in 2021, attempted to coerce her three children in Uganda to send them to ISIL camps in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Gender:  Female. 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 July 08, 2026 regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16407.doc.htm Further, in accordance with paragraph 61 of resolution 2734 (2024), the Committee has made accessible on its website the narrative summaries of reasons for listing of the above entries at the following URL: https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries 4. The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information 5. 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. 6. 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 7. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request for de-listing received by any bank 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 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List can submit their request for delisting to an independent and impartial Ombudsperson who has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. More details are available at the following URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ombudsperson/application 8. Regulated entities are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and ensure meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Sirin Kumar) General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/176 · issued FY 2026-27. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

Test yourself

Quick self-check built only from the facts already on this page — tap a question to reveal the answer.

Q1. In one line, what does this circular do?

The RBI has notified that a new individual, Hamidah Nabag G Ala from Uganda, has been added to the UN Security Council’s ISIL/Al‑Qaida sanctions list. All regulated entities must ensure no accounts are held for any listed person or entity, per Section 51A of the UAPA.

Q2. Who does this circular apply to?

Commercial banks, Small finance banks, Payment banks, Co‑operative banks, NBFCs and ARCs

Q3. What is the first thing you should do about it?

Update AML screening databases with the new UN sanctions entry (Hamidah Nabag G Ala).

Key dataSee the live numbers behind this topic: NPA / Asset-Quality Tracker, Bank Health Scores, RBI Penalty Tracker — updated from official RBI data.
Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. NBFC · CRAR (Capital adequacy) · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Wilful defaulter
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Forward any de‑listing applications to the MHA Joint Secretary (CTCR) as instructed.
📜 Compliance
  • Update AML screening databases with the new UN sanctions entry (Hamidah Nabag G Ala).
  • Conduct an immediate review of existing customer records for matches and freeze any related accounts.
  • Follow the RBI Directions (2025, amended 29 Dec 2025) and the UAPA Order (02 Feb 2021, amended 22 Apr 2024) for verification procedures.
  • Document all actions and retain evidence for regulator audit.
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, Co‑operative banks, NBFCs and ARCs), your first concrete step on “New UN Sanctions Entry Added – Banks Must Block Related Accounts” is: “Update AML screening databases with the new UN sanctions entry (Hamidah Nabag G Ala).” (RBI issued this FY 2026-27).

  1. Circular: RBI/2026-27/176 -- New UN Sanctions Entry Added – Banks Must Block Related Accounts
  2. Issued: FY 2026-27
  3. Action required: Update AML screening databases with the new UN sanctions entry (Hamidah Nabag G Ala).
  4. Action required: Conduct an immediate review of existing customer records for matches and freeze any related accounts.
  5. Action required: Follow the RBI Directions (2025, amended 29 Dec 2025) and the UAPA Order (02 Feb 2021, amended 22 Apr 2024) for verification procedures.
  6. Action required: Forward any de‑listing applications to the MHA Joint Secretary (CTCR) as instructed.
  7. Action required: Document all actions and retain evidence for regulator audit.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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.
AI-drafted · 1-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of our expert review panel · decoded & published by BankPulse · 09 Jul 2026, 16:30 IST
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=13554&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert review panel. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; never reproduces RBI text verbatim.
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