**Policy Summary:**
This circular, reference RBI201920149 DOR.AML.BC. No. 2914.06.001201920, dated January 22, 2020, from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) addresses the implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, specifically regarding updates to the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List. It is addressed to the Chairpersons and CEOs of all Regulated Entities (REs).
The circular reiterates the requirement for REs to ensure compliance with Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967, as outlined in the Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016 (amended January 09, 2020). This requires REs to verify that they do not maintain any accounts for individuals or entities appearing on lists circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that identify those suspected of terrorist links.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has forwarded UNSC press release SC/14078, dated January 14, 2020, which details amendments to 85 entries on the Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee list. The UNSC press releases are available at: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/pressreleases.
Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and the Taliban are accessible at: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aqsanctionslist and https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials.
REs are directed to ensure meticulous compliance with UAPA instructions and to diligently screen accounts against the UNSC-circulated lists.
Contact information for Dr. S. K. Kar, Chief General Manager, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400001, is provided: Tel No: 22661602, 22601000; Fax No: 022-2270 5691.
A caution is included, stating that the RBI never sends emails, SMS messages, or makes calls requesting personal information like bank account details or passwords, nor does it keep or offer funds to anyone. Recipients are advised not to respond to such offers.
Key Entities Referenced
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967: An Indian law aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorism.
ISIL Da'esh: A terrorist group, also known as ISIS, subject to sanctions by the United Nations.
Al-Qaida: A global militant organization subject to sanctions by the United Nations.
United Nations Security Council: A United Nations body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, which circulates lists of individuals and entities with terrorist links.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for India's foreign relations.
Security Council ISIL Daesh and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee: A committee of the United Nations Security Council that amends and maintains a list of sanctioned entities and individuals.
Taliban: An Islamist militant movement and political organization in Afghanistan.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A city in the state of Maharashtra, India, where the Central Office of the Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India is located.
RBI/2019-20/149
DOR.AML.BC. No. 29/14.06.001/2019-20 January 22, 2020
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967-
Updates to ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List
Please refer to Section 51 of our Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25,
2016 as amended on January 09, 2020, in terms of which “Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure
that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967, they do
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 regard, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has now forwarded a press release SC/14078
dated 14 January 2020 titled ‘Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee
Amends 85 Entries on Its Sanctions List’, issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The UNSC press releases concerning amendments to the list are available at
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/press-releases
3. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban are
available at:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
4. In view of the above, Regulated Entities (REs) are advised to ensure meticulous compliance
with the aforementioned instruction pertaining to UAPA and ensure that they do not have any
account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and entities,
suspected of having terrorist links, circulated by the UNSC.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. S. K. Kar)
Chief General Manager
िविनयमन िवभाग, क��ीय कायार्लय, क��ीय कायार्लय भवन, 12व�/ 13व� मंिज़ल, शहीद भगत �संह मागर्, फोटर्, मुंबई- 400001
टेलीफोन/ Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/ Fax No: 022-2270 5691
Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400001
"Caution: RBI never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please
do not respond in any manner to such offers."