SIR Begins in 12 States from Today.

SIR Begins in 12 States from Today, Voters to be Verified, Keep These Documents Ready.

---

November 4, 2025, New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is initiating the second phase of the “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) nationwide today (Tuesday) with the goal of preventing fraud in the Voter List and eliminating duplicate names.

Nine states, including Uttar Pradesh (UP), West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, and three Union Territories (UTs), have begun this campaign today. House-to-house verification of almost 51 crore voters will take place during this campaign.

After 21 years (from 2002 to 2004), this enormous effort is taking place. Bihar has already finished this process; on September 30, the final list was released.

Which 12 States/UTs Has SIR Started In?

1. Uttar Pradesh (UP)
2. West Bengal
3. Madhya Pradesh (MP)
4. Chhattisgarh
5. Rajasthan
6. Tamil Nadu
7. Kerala
8. Gujarat
9. Goa
10. Puducherry
11. Lakshadweep
12. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

(Assam, whose elections are scheduled for 2026, has not yet been included in this round because the Supreme Court is overseeing citizenship verification efforts there.)

SIR: What is it? What distinguishes it from SSR?
What takes place during SSR (Special Summary Revision): Only new names are added (18+), removed (death), or rectified (change of address) from the current list.

What will happen in SIR (Special Intensive Revision): This is similar to making an entirely new list. Each voter is subject to a “de novo enumeration” (new counting). This implies that those who are already on the voter list will need to re-establish their eligibility.

What is SIR’s primary goal?
The Commission (ECI) states that the SIR, which is taking place after 21 years, has four primary goals:

Excluding unlawful Migrants: (Primary Goal) By confirming their place of birth, unlawful foreign migrants—particularly those from Bangladesh and Myanmar—will be eliminated.

Eliminating Duplicate Names: To eliminate the names of individuals who, as a result of rapid urbanisation and migration, have registered to vote in two locations.

Excluding voters who have passed away.

ensuring that no qualified voter is excluded.

What is the complete schedule? (SIR Timeline)
According to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the procedure has been further enhanced by taking lessons from Bihar’s experiences.

Prohibition on Adding/Deleting Names: With immediate effect, any new names added to or removed from the voter lists of these 12 states and territories have been prohibited.

Each voter will receive a unique pre-filled form with their current address, photo, and other information. If the information is inaccurate, they will be able to have it corrected.

Voters are urged by the Commission (ECI) to provide a colour photo with the form.

Chronology:

Phase of House-to-House Enumeration: Today, November 4, until December 4, 2025. BLOs will distribute and gather pre-filled forms door-to-door during this time.

Draft Roll publication date: December 9, 2025

Objections and Claims: December 9–January 8, 2026.

Verification, Hearing, and Scrutiny: December 9 through January 31, 2026.

Final Voter List Publication Date: February 7, 2026

Which documents are required?
In contrast to Bihar, where Aadhaar was crucial, these 12 states will accept 13 different papers, like birth certificates, passports, land documents, caste certificates, domicile certificates, NRC entry, and any identity card issued before July 1, 1987.