SIR 2.0 to Begin in 12 States and UTs

• 28 Oct 2025

Why in News?

The Election Commission of India(ECI) has announced a nationwide intensive revision of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, covering 51 crore voters, to be conducted from 4th November 2025, with the final rolls published on 7th February 2026, and 1st January 2026, set as the qualifying date.

Key Points

• Objective: The ECI aims to prepare an error-free electoral roll, ensuring that no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible voter is included.

• SIR Implementation: The SIR will covers Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.

  • These states/UTs were selected due to their high percentage of mapped electors and adequate administrative preparedness — including trained BLOs, District Magistrates, and EROs.
  • Maharashtra is excluded as per the SC’s order to conduct local polls by 31st January 2026.
  • Kerala is also excluded as local polls discussions are still underway and not yet notified.
• Process and Verification Norms: The pan-India SIR will not require residents to submit documents during enumeration.
  • Enrolment forms now include a new field to record parental or relative details from the last SIR (2002–2004).
  • Unlinked voters will be issued notices to prove eligibility using accepted documents, with Aadhaar valid only as identity proof.
  • About 70–80% of voters are expected to have a traceable link to the earlier rolls through digitisation, and each elector will submit only one signed form.

Special Intensive Revision(SIR)

• About: SIR is a focused, time-bound house-to-house voters’ verification process conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update and correct the electoral rolls before major elections.  
  • It ensures that the voter list is accurate, inclusive, and free from discrepancies by allowing new registrations, deletions, and modifications. 
  • Section 21 of the RP Act, 1950 empowers the ECI to prepare and revise electoral rolls, including conducting a special revision at any time with recorded reasons. 
• Constitutional Basis of SIR: Article 324 vests the ECI with the power to supervise and control the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections. 
  • Article 326 guarantees universal adult suffrage, allowing citizens aged 18 and above to vote, unless disqualified by law due to criminal conviction, unsound mind, or corruption. 
• Previous Electoral Roll Revision: SIRs were conducted in 1952–56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983–84, 1987–89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in various parts of the country. In Bihar, the last SIR was held in 2003.