RBI notifies regulated entities of UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions list amendment
RBI-regulated entities must screen accounts against the amended UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida listing and act under Section 51A UAPA, ensuring no account is held in the listed name
Change
On 9 July 2026 the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notified regulated entities of UNSC press release SC/16407 (8 July 2026) amending one entry (individual QDi.439) on the ISIL (Da'esh)/Al-Qaida sanctions list, and directed compliance under Section 51A of the UAPA — requiring that no account be held in the names of listed persons and that the UAPA Order dated 2 February 2021 (as amended) be followed.
Why it matters
The notification requires all RBI-regulated entities to screen existing and new customer accounts against the amended UNSC 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida list and to apply the assets-freeze and related measures under Section 51A of the UAPA and the annexed UAPA Order dated 2 February 2021 (amended 22 April 2024). The amendment revises the identifying details of individual QDi.439 (Hamidah Nabaggala), including date of birth and passport/identification numbers — details that are material to accurate screening. Any de-listing request received by a bank must be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs.
Implications
- — RBI-regulated entities (including banks, NBFCs, ARCs and All India Financial Institutions) must screen existing and new customer accounts against the amended UNSC ISIL/Al-Qaida list and ensure no account is held in the name of the listed individual — an active account in a listed name breaches Section 51A of the UAPA and Chapter IX of the RBI KYC Directions.
- — RBI-regulated entities must handle any match to the list according to the UAPA Order dated 2 February 2021 (amended 22 April 2024) annexed to the Directions, including the prescribed freezing and reporting procedure — deviating from the Order is non-compliance with the RBI Directions.
- — Any de-listing request received by a regulated entity must be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary (CTCR), Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration.
Who is affected
- — RBI-regulated entities' sanctions-screening and AML compliance teams — Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, Urban and Rural Co-operative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Local Area Banks, NBFCs, Asset Reconstruction Companies and All India Financial Institutions