A Troubling Judgment and Endorsement of the SIR | UPSCPDF Editorial Analysis
Comprehensive UPSC study guide on the Supreme Court
Critical analysis of the Supreme Court's 2026 ruling on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its impact on democratic inclusion. In May 2026, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of India's (ECI) authority to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. While the ECI framed it as a "purification" exercise to remove duplicates, critics argue the judgment expands institutional powers beyond statutory limits, potentially leading to large-scale voter disenfranchisement. The Court recognized broad powers under Article 324, allowing the ECI to conduct house-to-house verification and intensive document scrutiny. Critics warn that large-scale deletions close to elections risk excluding genuine voters, particularly from marginalized communities. The debate centers on whether Section 21(3) of the RP Act 1950 permits "intensive" revision, which is usually reserved for Section 21(2). Concerns arise over the ECI effectively performing citize
⏱ Reading time: ~6 min
