What happened
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 19 October 2026 asked banks, non-bank lenders and other regulated entities to act on changes the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) made to three entries on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List. The changes were enacted on 15 October 2026, according to UNSC press release SC/16480, which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) passed on to the RBI.
The list covers individuals and entities subject to an assets freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo. The three amended entries are:
- QDi.082: Mounir el Motassadeq, an individual.
- QDi.427: Noor Wali Mehsud, an individual.
- QDe.132: Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an entity.
The circular reproduces the amended entries. For the TTP entry, the listing describes Noor Wali Mehsud as its leader.
What it means for you
For most customers, nothing changes. The circular is addressed to the heads of commercial banks, small finance banks, payment banks, co-operative and regional rural banks, local area banks, NBFCs, asset reconstruction companies and all-India financial institutions.
Under the RBI’s Know Your Customer (KYC) Directions of 28 November 2025, a regulated entity must make sure it holds no account in the name of anyone on the UN lists, in line with Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. KYC is the identity-checking process banks run on customers; see our KYC explainer.
The RBI has told lenders to take appropriate action under Chapter IX of those Directions and to strictly follow the procedure in the UAPA Order dated 2 February 2021, amended on 22 April 2024. It asked them to ensure meticulous compliance.
Any request for de-listing received by a bank is to be forwarded electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR) at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Those seeking removal from the UN list can also apply to an independent Ombudsperson appointed by the UN Secretary-General.
Background
The UN Security Council periodically updates this list under resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015). The RBI circulates each update to the financial sector so that lenders can screen their customer records against it. The circular points to the UN website for the narrative summaries of reasons for listing, the sanction measures and exemptions, and the updated lists.
