Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/42 · issued 29 Apr 2026 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all regulated entities to screen accounts against the updated UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List (17 amended entries) and comply with UAPA Section 51A obligations, including freezing assets and reporting de-listing requests to MHA.
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 the updated UNSC (United Nations Security Council) Taliban Sanctions List, which now has 17 changed entries.
If a customer's name matches the list, the bank must freeze (lock) their account or assets right away.
If a customer asks to be removed from the list, the bank must send that request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by email.
Banks must follow the rules in Chapter IX of the KYC (Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) Order from February 2, 2021.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore, Priya, receives the RBI circular about the updated Taliban Sanctions List. She immediately runs her bank's customer database against the 17 amended entries and finds one customer whose name matches a newly added individual. Priya freezes that customer's gold loan account and reports the action to her compliance team, following the UAPA rules exactly.
What changed
The UNSC Security Council Committee under resolution 1988 (2011) amended 17 entries on the Taliban Sanctions List via press release SC/16352 dated April 28, 2026. RBI has directed all regulated entities to update their screening processes and take action as per Chapter IX of the KYC Directions, 2025, and the UAPA Order of February 2, 2021 (amended April 22, 2024).
What it means for you
Banks and other regulated entities must immediately cross-check their customer databases against the revised list and freeze accounts or assets of newly added or modified individuals/entities. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action, as the directive is issued under the UAPA framework. The updated list is available on UN websites, and de-listing requests must follow the specified procedure through MHA or the UN Focal Point.
What you must do
Update your AML/KYC systems with the amended 17 entries from the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List (press release SC/16352).
Screen all existing and new accounts against the revised list and freeze any matching assets immediately.
Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, electronically.
Ensure compliance with Chapter IX of RBI KYC Directions, 2025, and the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 (amended April 22, 2024).
Monitor the UN websites (links provided) for future updates to the sanctions list.
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 source of the updated sanctions list?
The UNSC Security Council Committee under resolution 1988 (2011) issued press release SC/16352 on April 28, 2026, amending 17 entries on the Taliban Sanctions List. The updated list is available at www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials.
How should we handle de-listing requests from customers?
As per MHA instructions, any de-listing request received by a bank must be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA. Individuals can also submit requests directly to the UN Focal Point for Delisting (resolution 1730) or through their state of residence.
What are the consequences of non-compliance?
Non-compliance with UAPA Section 51A obligations can lead to regulatory action by RBI, including penalties. The directive is legally binding under the KYC Directions, 2025, and the UAPA Order.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2026-27/42
DOR.AML.REC.32/14.06.001/2026-27
April 29, 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 17 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/16352 dated April 28, 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 mentioned in the Annex 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.
3. Press release dated April 28, 2026 regarding the above can be found at https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16352.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 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/2026-27/42 · issued 29 Apr 2026. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update your AML/KYC systems with the amended 17 entries from the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List (press release SC/16352).
📜 Compliance
Screen all existing and new accounts against the revised list and freeze any matching assets immediately.
Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, electronically.
Ensure compliance with Chapter IX of RBI KYC Directions, 2025, and the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 (amended April 22, 2024).
Monitor the UN websites (links provided) for future updates to the sanctions list.
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 (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 – 17 Entries Amended” is: “Update your AML/KYC systems with the amended 17 entries from the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List (press release SC/16352).” (RBI issued this 29 Apr 2026).
Action required: Update your AML/KYC systems with the amended 17 entries from the UNSC 1988 Taliban Sanctions List (press release SC/16352).
Action required: Screen all existing and new accounts against the revised list and freeze any matching assets immediately.
Action required: Forward any de-listing requests received from customers to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs, electronically.
Action required: Ensure compliance with Chapter IX of RBI KYC Directions, 2025, and the UAPA Order dated February 2, 2021 (amended April 22, 2024).
Action required: Monitor the UN websites (links provided) for future updates to the sanctions list.
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 02 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=13406&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.