The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Electoral Roll Purification Saga: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

Overview

This arc tracks the Election Commission of India's (ECI) massive 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) drive intended to 'purify' electoral rolls using technology and physical verification. What began as a technical fix for duplicate voter IDs quickly escalated into a constitutional standoff between the ECI and the Supreme Court. The conflict centered on whether the ECI could demand 'fresh proof of citizenship' and exclude documents like Aadhaar, which threatened to disenfranchise millions of marginalized and migrant voters. The saga evolved from a localized pilot in Bihar to a national rollout, resulting in historic levels of voter deletion and a persistent judicial inquiry into the ECI's power to verify citizenship.

How This Story Evolved

ECI admits duplicates (Seed) and revives Aadhaar linking -> Launches SIR in Bihar leading to SC clashes over documents -> Protests and mass deletions occur -> SC mandates Aadhaar inclusion -> ECI expands SIR nationally -> Final rolls released with significant deletions -> SC continues scrutiny.

1. 2025-03-03: ECI Addresses Concerns on Duplicate Voter IDs
   More details

   UPSC Angle: ECI is rectifying duplicate Voter IDs to ensure unique identification.

   Key Facts:

   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Addressed reports of duplicate Voter ID numbers
   • Irrespective of the EPIC number, a person can cast a vote only at their designated polling stations
   • Will remove duplications to ensure unique EPIC number for each voter
2. 2025-03-16: EC revisits EPIC-Aadhaar link plan after 2015 halt
   More details

   UPSC Angle: EC revisits EPIC-Aadhaar link plan to purify electoral rolls.

3. 2025-07-11: Supreme Court & ECI: Aadhaar for Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to consider Aadhaar for Bihar electoral roll revision.

   Key Facts:

   • Supreme Court
   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar card
   • Voter ID card
   • Ration card
   • Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar
   • 11 documents is not exhaustive
   • Aadhaar is not conclusive for citizenship
   • Exclusion will happen only if required by law and supported by evidence
   • Aadhaar
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
   • Bihar
4. 2025-08-01: Controversy over ECI's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC questions ECI's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar.

   Key Facts:

   • ECI launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar requiring fresh proof of citizenship.
   • Aadhaar or ration cards are not accepted as valid documents.
   • Around 65 lakh people in Bihar may risk losing their voting rights.
5. 2025-08-16: Supreme Court Order on Electoral Rolls
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to improve electoral roll accessibility and ID proof.

   Key Facts:

   • ECI to make draft electoral rolls accessible and searchable
   • ECI to provide reasons for voter exclusion
   • Accept more documents as proof of identity, including Aadhaar and EPIC
6. 2025-08-17: Electoral Roll Revision Protests in India
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Protests over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.

   Key Facts:

   • August 2025: Sustained and coordinated protests
   • Location of Protests: Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal
   • Reason for Protests: Alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions
   • Participants: Opposition parties, civil society groups, student organisations, and independent election watchdogs
7. 2025-08-21: India's democracy is failing the migrant citizen
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

   Key Facts:

   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar
   • 3.5 million names deleted
   • 4.4% of total voters
   • “permanently migrated”
   • Kerala model of migration surveys
   • TISS Mumbai study (2015)
   • Election Commission of India
8. 2025-09-09: Supreme Court directs ECI to include Aadhaar for voter list in Bihar
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to include Aadhaar for voter list in Bihar.

   Key Facts:

   • Supreme Court ordered the ECI to accept Aadhaar as a document
   • Aadhaar can be used for adding or removing names in the electoral roll
   • Supreme Court directed Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar to be included as 12th document
   • Proof of identity for electoral roll in Bihar
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process
   • Supreme Court
   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar
   • Bihar
9. 2025-09-21: Election Commission Gears Up for Voter List Clean-up
   More details

   UPSC Angle: ECI prepares for voter list clean-up before elections.

   Key Facts:

   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
   • Deadline: September 30
   • Potential rollout: October-November
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by September 30.
10. 2025-10-28: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase 2 Begins
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI launched Phase 2 of Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

    Key Facts:

    • Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls launched on October 27, 2025.
    • The revision covers nine states and three Union Territories.
    • No mandatory document submission is required initially.
    • There is broader access to historical data for voter linkage.
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0
    • 12 States
    • Union Territories (UTs)
    • 51 crore voters
    • Election Commission
    • Bihar
11. 2025-12-01: ECI Clarifies Powers on Citizenship Scrutiny
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI clarifies Union Government's citizenship powers are limited, not overriding ECI.

    Key Facts:

    • ECI's authority to verify citizenship for electoral rolls
    • Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process
12. 2025-12-11: ECI Extends Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI extends Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five states.

    Key Facts:

    • ECI extended the schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five States and Andaman and Nicobar.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 19, 2025, for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 23, 2025, for Andaman and Nicobar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 31, 2025, for Uttar Pradesh.
    • Election Commission of India (ECI)
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
    • Tamil Nadu: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 19, 2025
    • Gujarat: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 19, 2025
    • Andaman and Nicobar: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Madhya Pradesh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Chhattisgarh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Uttar Pradesh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 31, 2025
    • West Bengal: No change in schedule
13. 2026-01-06: Election Commission of India Releases Draft Voter List for Uttar Pradesh
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Election Commission releases draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh.

    Key Facts:

    • State: Uttar Pradesh
    • Revision: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
    • Names Not Included: Over 2.8 crore
    • Names Retained: 12.55 crore
    • Chief Electoral Officer: Navdeep Rinwa
    • Election Commission of India
    • Draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
    • Over 2.8 crore names not included
    • Reasons: deaths, permanent migration, multiple registrations
    • Total 15.44 crore voters
14. 2026-01-14: SC questions EC on voter deletion, citizenship
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC questions EC on voter deletion and citizenship issues.

    Key Facts:

    • Elections
    • ECI powers
    • citizenship linkage
15. 2026-02-24: Concerns Regarding Independence of the Election Commission
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Concerns raised about ECI's independence regarding electoral rolls and autonomy.

    Key Facts:

    • The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Act, 2023 altered the selection mechanism.
    • The CEC and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President.
    • A Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition recommends names.
    • Around 65 lakh voter names reportedly deleted during SIR exercise in Bihar(2025), matter challenged before the Supreme Court.
    • Critics argue that the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee weakens institutional independence.

Genesis

Trigger

On March 3, 2025, the ECI formally acknowledged reports of duplicate Voter ID (EPIC) numbers across states and committed to a rectification drive to ensure 'one voter, one unique ID'.

Why Now

The shift was enabled by a push to revive the EPIC-Aadhaar linking plan (halted since 2015) and the deployment of new digital de-duplication software that flagged millions of potential overlaps.

Historical Context

The 2015 'National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme' (NERPAP) was the previous attempt at this, which was stayed by the SC due to privacy concerns regarding Aadhaar linkage.

Key Turning Points

1. [2025-08-16] Supreme Court order on Electoral Roll transparency

   It halted the ECI's attempt to use SIR as a citizenship verification tool by forcing the acceptance of Aadhaar and EPIC as sufficient proof.

   Before: ECI required 'fresh citizenship proof' and excluded Aadhaar. After: ECI must accept Aadhaar as the 12th indicative document.

2. [2025-09-21] National rollout of SIR instructed

   The 'Bihar model' of revision was expanded to the entire country, setting the stage for mass deletions globally.

   Before: The controversy was localized to Bihar. After: State CEOs nationwide were put on a 15-day deadline for clean-up.

3. [2026-01-06] UP Draft Voter List release

   It revealed the staggering scale of the drive, with 12.55 crore names retained but over 2.8 crore removed.

   Before: Deletions were estimated in lakhs. After: The scale of disenfranchisement risks reached tens of millions.

Key Actors and Institutions

Key Institutions

• Election Commission of India (ECI)
• Supreme Court of India (SC)
• District Election Authorities

Key Concepts

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

A high-intensity, house-to-house verification process that goes beyond standard 'continuous updation' to verify the physical presence and eligibility of every voter.

Current Fact: SIR Phase 2 was launched across 9 states and 3 UTs on October 27, 2025.

De-duplication

The technical process of identifying and removing multiple entries for the same individual across different constituencies or states.

Current Fact: The ECI confirmed on March 3, 2025, that unique EPIC numbers would be ensured for every voter.

Natural Justice in Elections

The legal principle that a voter cannot be removed from the roll without being given a reason and an opportunity to be heard.

Current Fact: On August 16, 2025, the SC directed the ECI to provide specific reasons for every voter exclusion.

EPIC-Aadhaar Linkage

The process of connecting a voter's Photo Identity Card with their 12-digit biometric Aadhaar number to verify identity.

Current Fact: The ECI revisited this plan on March 16, 2025, after a decade-long hiatus.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of January 14, 2026, the Supreme Court is actively questioning the ECI on the legality of mass voter deletions and its authority to conduct citizenship-style scrutiny under the guise of list purification.

Likely Next

The ECI is expected to finalize the 'SIR 2.0' rolls nationally by early 2026, followed by a potential challenge in the SC regarding the 3.5 million 'migrant' deletions in Bihar.

Wildcards

Introduction of a 'portable voter ID' system for migrants, which the ECI has hinted at, could fundamentally change how 'absent' voters are treated in future revisions.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

• Salient features of the Representation of People's Act
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
• Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary

Essay Angles

• The tension between digital efficiency and democratic inclusion
• Voting rights of the 'Internal Migrant': The forgotten citizen
• Judicial activism vs. Electoral autonomy in India

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

• Is the right to vote a Fundamental, Natural, Constitutional, or Legal Right? — The SIR saga tests the 'Constitutional' nature of the right, as mass deletions without natural justice challenge the core of this right.
• Can Aadhaar be used as proof of citizenship or domicile? — The 2025 SC-ECI standoff directly relates to this, as the ECI initially rejected Aadhaar as citizenship proof for SIR.

Prelims Angles

• The Election Commission is responsible for preparation and revision of electoral rolls under Article 324.
• Aadhaar is considered an 'indicative document' for identity proof in voter rolls, not conclusive proof of citizenship.
• An appeal against an Electoral Registration Officer's order lies with the District Magistrate (Laxmikanth reference).
• The ECI clarified that Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 does not override its constitutional authority to maintain rolls.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Critically analyze the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in the context of the 'Right to Vote' for migrant populations. Does the pursuit of electoral purity risk mass disenfranchisement of the marginalized?

Answer Structure: Intro: Define SIR and its objective (purification). Body 1: Administrative benefits (de-duplication, unique EPIC). Body 2: Constitutional concerns (disenfranchisement of 3.5M migrants in Bihar, lack of portable voting). Body 3: Role of Judiciary (SC mandates on natural justice and document inclusivity). Critical Analysis: The digital divide and documentation burden on EBCs/Dalits. Way Forward: Remote voting tech and Kerala-style migration surveys.

Essay Topic: Technology as a Tool for Inclusion or a Barrier to Rights: The Case of Indian Elections.

Textbook Connections

Key Takeaway

The 2025 electoral roll purification highlights a critical shift from simple name-matching to tech-driven verification, requiring a delicate balance between 'one person, one vote' and the protection of the migrant's right to remain on the roll.

All Events in This Story (15 items)

1. 2025-03-03 [Polity & Governance] — ECI Addresses Concerns on Duplicate Voter IDs
   The Election Commission of India (ECI) has acknowledged reports of duplicate Voter ID numbers across different states and assured that it will rectify the issue to ensure each voter has a unique ID. The ECI clarified that regardless of the EPIC number, a person can only vote at their designated polling station in their respective constituency.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: ECI is rectifying duplicate Voter IDs to ensure unique identification.

   Key Facts:

   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Addressed reports of duplicate Voter ID numbers
   • Irrespective of the EPIC number, a person can cast a vote only at their designated polling stations
   • Will remove duplications to ensure unique EPIC number for each voter
2. 2025-03-16 [Polity & Governance] — EC revisits EPIC-Aadhaar link plan after 2015 halt
   The Election Commission is revisiting a plan to link Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) with Aadhaar, after it was halted in 2015. The linking aims to purify electoral rolls and prevent voter fraud, but raises concerns about privacy and potential disenfranchisement.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: EC revisits EPIC-Aadhaar link plan to purify electoral rolls.

3. 2025-07-11 [Polity & Governance] — Supreme Court & ECI: Aadhaar for Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
   The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider Aadhaar card, voter ID card, and ration card as acceptable documents for the 'Special Intensive Revision' of electoral rolls in Bihar, while leaving the final decision to the ECI. Petitioners warned that lack of accepted documentation could exclude genuine voters, particularly marginalized groups like EBCs, Dalits, minorities, and women.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to consider Aadhaar for Bihar electoral roll revision.

   Key Facts:

   • Supreme Court
   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar card
   • Voter ID card
   • Ration card
   • Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar
   • 11 documents is not exhaustive
   • Aadhaar is not conclusive for citizenship
   • Exclusion will happen only if required by law and supported by evidence
   • Aadhaar
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
   • Bihar
4. 2025-08-01 [Polity & Governance] — Controversy over ECI's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar
   The Supreme Court questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, which requires fresh proof of citizenship from voters. The Court raised concerns about mass disenfranchisement of the poor and marginalised, as commonly held IDs like Aadhaar or ration cards are not accepted.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC questions ECI's Special Intensive Revision in Bihar.

   Key Facts:

   • ECI launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar requiring fresh proof of citizenship.
   • Aadhaar or ration cards are not accepted as valid documents.
   • Around 65 lakh people in Bihar may risk losing their voting rights.
5. 2025-08-16 [Polity & Governance] — Supreme Court Order on Electoral Rolls
   In 2025, the Supreme Court directed the ECI to make draft electoral rolls accessible and searchable, provide reasons for voter exclusion, and accept more documents as proof of identity, including Aadhaar and EPIC. The order ensures transparency and natural justice, shifting focus from citizenship verification to accuracy of voter rolls.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to improve electoral roll accessibility and ID proof.

   Key Facts:

   • ECI to make draft electoral rolls accessible and searchable
   • ECI to provide reasons for voter exclusion
   • Accept more documents as proof of identity, including Aadhaar and EPIC
6. 2025-08-17 [Polity & Governance] — Electoral Roll Revision Protests in India
   In August 2025, coordinated protests occurred across Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal due to alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. Opposition parties, civil society groups, student organizations, and election watchdogs mobilized demonstrations outside offices of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and district election authorities.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Protests over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.

   Key Facts:

   • August 2025: Sustained and coordinated protests
   • Location of Protests: Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal
   • Reason for Protests: Alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions
   • Participants: Opposition parties, civil society groups, student organisations, and independent election watchdogs
7. 2025-08-21 [Polity & Governance] — India's democracy is failing the migrant citizen
   A silent crisis is unfolding as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has led to the mass deletion of nearly 3.5 million names, about 4.4% of total voters, who were marked as “permanently migrated” because they were absent during house-to-house verification. This threatens their right to vote and highlights the need for a portable, flexible voter identity system and cross-verification with destination states.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant

   Key Facts:

   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar
   • 3.5 million names deleted
   • 4.4% of total voters
   • “permanently migrated”
   • Kerala model of migration surveys
   • TISS Mumbai study (2015)
   • Election Commission of India
8. 2025-09-09 [Polity & Governance] — Supreme Court directs ECI to include Aadhaar for voter list in Bihar
   The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include Aadhaar as the 12th document in a list of 'indicative' documents. This will allow people seeking inclusion or exclusion in the electoral roll of Bihar to file it as proof of their identity, during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: SC directs ECI to include Aadhaar for voter list in Bihar.

   Key Facts:

   • Supreme Court ordered the ECI to accept Aadhaar as a document
   • Aadhaar can be used for adding or removing names in the electoral roll
   • Supreme Court directed Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar to be included as 12th document
   • Proof of identity for electoral roll in Bihar
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process
   • Supreme Court
   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Aadhaar
   • Bihar
9. 2025-09-21 [Polity & Governance] — Election Commission Gears Up for Voter List Clean-up
   The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed State election officers to prepare for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by September 30, indicating a potential voter list clean-up exercise in October-November. The ECI top officials asked State Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to be ready for the SIR rollout in the next 10 to 15 days. The deadline of September 30 was set for greater clarity.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: ECI prepares for voter list clean-up before elections.

   Key Facts:

   • Election Commission of India (ECI)
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
   • Deadline: September 30
   • Potential rollout: October-November
   • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by September 30.
10. 2025-10-28 [Polity & Governance] — Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase 2 Begins
    The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across nine states and three Union Territories on October 27, 2025. Changes include no mandatory document submission initially and broader access to historical data for voter linkage.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI launched Phase 2 of Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

    Key Facts:

    • Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls launched on October 27, 2025.
    • The revision covers nine states and three Union Territories.
    • No mandatory document submission is required initially.
    • There is broader access to historical data for voter linkage.
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0
    • 12 States
    • Union Territories (UTs)
    • 51 crore voters
    • Election Commission
    • Bihar
11. 2025-12-01 [Polity & Governance] — ECI Clarifies Powers on Citizenship Scrutiny
    The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Supreme Court that the Union Government's citizenship-related powers are “limited'' and do not override the Commission's constitutional authority to verify citizenship for electoral roll maintenance. This clarification came amid challenges by Opposition parties to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The ECI stated that electors are only required to sign pre-filled enumeration forms (EFs) delivered to their homes by Booth Level Officers, a minimal and voter-friendly requirement.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI clarifies Union Government's citizenship powers are limited, not overriding ECI.

    Key Facts:

    • ECI's authority to verify citizenship for electoral rolls
    • Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process
12. 2025-12-11 [Polity & Governance] — ECI Extends Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
    The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five States and Andaman and Nicobar. The draft electoral rolls will now be published on different dates for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat (December 19, 2025), Andaman and Nicobar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (December 23, 2025), and Uttar Pradesh (December 31, 2025). There is no change for West Bengal.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: ECI extends Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five states.

    Key Facts:

    • ECI extended the schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in five States and Andaman and Nicobar.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 19, 2025, for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 23, 2025, for Andaman and Nicobar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
    • Draft electoral rolls will be published on December 31, 2025, for Uttar Pradesh.
    • Election Commission of India (ECI)
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
    • Tamil Nadu: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 19, 2025
    • Gujarat: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 19, 2025
    • Andaman and Nicobar: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Madhya Pradesh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Chhattisgarh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 23, 2025
    • Uttar Pradesh: Draft electoral rolls to be published on December 31, 2025
    • West Bengal: No change in schedule
13. 2026-01-06 [Polity & Governance] — Election Commission of India Releases Draft Voter List for Uttar Pradesh
    The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Over 2.8 crore names were not included due to deaths, permanent migration, or multiple registrations. 12.55 crore names were retained in the draft rolls.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Election Commission releases draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh.

    Key Facts:

    • State: Uttar Pradesh
    • Revision: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
    • Names Not Included: Over 2.8 crore
    • Names Retained: 12.55 crore
    • Chief Electoral Officer: Navdeep Rinwa
    • Election Commission of India
    • Draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh
    • Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
    • Over 2.8 crore names not included
    • Reasons: deaths, permanent migration, multiple registrations
    • Total 15.44 crore voters
14. 2026-01-14 [Polity & Governance] — SC questions EC on voter deletion, citizenship
    The Supreme Court has questioned the Election Commission on voter deletion and citizenship issues. This is important for UPSC as it relates to polity, elections, and ECI powers.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC questions EC on voter deletion and citizenship issues.

    Key Facts:

    • Elections
    • ECI powers
    • citizenship linkage
15. 2026-02-24 [Polity & Governance] — Concerns Regarding Independence of the Election Commission
    Recent controversies surrounding electoral rolls, appointment procedures, and institutional autonomy have raised concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Concerns have been raised regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, with reports of deletion of large numbers of voters, particularly from certain regions, sparking fears of disenfranchisement.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Concerns raised about ECI's independence regarding electoral rolls and autonomy.

    Key Facts:

    • The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Act, 2023 altered the selection mechanism.
    • The CEC and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President.
    • A Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition recommends names.
    • Around 65 lakh voter names reportedly deleted during SIR exercise in Bihar(2025), matter challenged before the Supreme Court.
    • Critics argue that the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee weakens institutional independence.