The Reserve Bank of India issued directions requiring regulated entities to comply with updates to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Taliban Sanctions List under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Based on a communication from the Ministry of External Affairs, amendments have been made to 17 entries in the sanctions list maintained under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011). Banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions must ensure that no accounts are held by individuals or entities listed, and must implement asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargo requirements where applicable. Entities are required to follow strict KYC Directions, 2025 and adhere to procedures outlined in the UAPA Order. Additionally, any delisting requests must be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs or relevant UN mechanisms. The directive reinforces India’s commitment to global anti-terror financing norms and mandates strict compliance with international sanctions frameworks.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/42
DOR.AML.REC.32/14.06.001/2026-27 | Dated: 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
