Bihar SIR 2025 changed after the Supreme Court ordered EPIC-searchable, reason-coded deletion lists and accepted Aadhaar as identity for objections. This report explains Bihar SIR 2025 vs SSR, compares other states, distills the data and case law, and lists clear steps voters should take before the claims window closes.
New Delhi (ABC Live): Bihar SIR 2025 shifted on 14 August 2025. The Supreme Court told the EC to post district-wise, EPIC-searchable lists of about 65 lakh dropped names with reasons. It also said Aadhaar can be used as an ID in objections. Therefore, people can check and file faster. Meanwhile, the claims window runs from 1 August to 1 September 2025.
Why ABC Live is publishing the Bihar SIR 2025 now
First, rules changed fast. Next, time is short. Finally, politics is loud. Therefore, readers need a plain guide with steps, data, and cross-state context on Bihar SIR 2025.
Key facts: Bihar SIR 2025 at a glance
-
Coverage and forms: 99.8% coverage; 7.23 crore forms digitised before 1 August.
-
Deletions posted: About 65 lakh names, with reasons, under Bihar SIR 2025.
-
Booth cap reform: ?1,200 voters per booth; total stations ?90,712. As a result, queues should be shorter.
SIR vs SSR — complete explainer with Bihar SIR 2025 context
What SIR is (and why Bihar SIR 2025 used it)
SIR is a door-to-door re-check from the ground up. For example, it targets duplicates, deceased, and shifted entries. Bihar SIR 2025 used SIR because hygiene needed a deep clean.
What SSR is (and when it’s enough)
SSR is the annual refresh around a set date. Usually, people file Form-6/7/8, and the roll is updated. Therefore, it works when problems are routine.
Legal base (applies to both)
Both rely on the RPA 1950 and the 1960 Rules, under the EC’s power to run and control elections. In short, Bihar SIR 2025 changes how the clean-up is done, not whether it can be done.
Case anchors: Mohinder Singh Gill (Art. 324, broad powers within law) and A.C. Jose (fill gaps, not act against rules).
Objectives & scope (why intensity matters)
When they are used
| Trigger / Situation | SIR (Special Intensive Revision) | SSR (Special Summary Revision) |
|---|---|---|
| Large migration or displacement (economic, disaster) | ?? | — |
| High duplicate/deceased entries suspected | ?? | — |
| Major re-mapping of parts/polling stations | ?? | ?? (partial updates only) |
| Routine annual update (new 18+, corrections, shifts) | — | ?? |
| Tight pre-election clean-up when roll hygiene is in doubt | ?? | — |
Workload & risk
SIR needs more staff and time; however, it finds more bad data. SSR needs less staff; yet, it can miss movers or new voters if outreach is weak.
Timelines (both models)
-
SIR: order ? field visits ? draft ? claims ? decisions ? final roll.
-
SSR: notice ? draft ? claims ? decisions ? final roll.
Voter experience
In Bihar SIR 2025, a BLO may visit your address. If you moved, you might be flagged. So, file in time. In SSR, you mostly start the change yourself.
Forms & documents (identity vs citizenship)
-
Form-6 (new entry), Form-7 (object/delete), Form-8 (fix/shift/EPIC).
-
Aadhaar = ID only, not citizenship (Aadhaar Act, Section 9).
Data analysis: Numbers behind Bihar SIR 2025
Overall, ~65 lakh dropped names are ~8% of a ~7.9–8.0 crore roll. Yes, that is large; however, deaths, moves, and duplicates can pile up. Therefore, the key is fast, fair restorations backed by reason codes. In addition, the ?1,200/booth cap under Bihar SIR 2025 should ease access, especially in dense urban seats. So, track daily: reason mix, restorations per day, and decision time on Forms 6/7/8.
Where Bihar SIR 2025 differs in the Pre-election roll-revision status from other states (Aug 17, 2025)
| State | Process | Status summary | Key dates | Notable points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bihar | SIR (Special Intensive Revision) | Draft rolls out Aug 1; ~65 lakh deletions flagged; SC (Aug 14) pushed EPIC-searchable, reason-coded lists; EC says uploads done swiftly; claims/objections open. | Jun 24–Jul 25 (enumeration); Aug 1 (draft); Aug 14 (SC order); Aug 1–Sep 1 (claims) | 99.8% coverage; 7.23 cr forms digitised; ?1,200 voters per booth; ~90,712 stations. |
| West Bengal | SIR (prep) | CEO signalled readiness; the EC summoned the Chief Secretary on roll lapses; compliance steps set; political heat rising. | Aug 7–14 (prep & summons); Aug 21 (deadline) | Friction over alleged lapses; close monitoring expected. |
| Assam | SIR (prep) | Districts asked to prepare; BLO training lined up; parties/civil groups plan oversight. | Aug 2025 (prep & trainings) | Narrative clash: “hygiene” vs “risk of wrongful deletions.” |
| Maharashtra | SIR (postpone request) | State EC sought to defer SIR till after the local body polls due to staff/overlap. | Aug 17, 2025 (request reported) | Capacity-first stance; no statewide flashpoint yet. |
| Delhi (NCT) | SSR (Special Summary Revision) | SSR-2025 cycle concluded earlier; final roll published; routine additions/corrections continue. | Nov 29, 2024 (SSR close); Jan 6, 2025 (final) | Citizen portal is active; no full SIR has been announced. |
Case law (with links)
-
N.P. Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer (1952) — Art. 329(b) limits court moves once the election process begins; use election petitions.
-
Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner (1978) — Art. 324 gives EC wide powers to ensure free and fair polls—within law.
-
A.C. Jose v. Sivan Pillai (1984) — EC can fill gaps but cannot act against the Rules/RPA.
-
Lakshmi Charan Sen v. A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman (1985) — The roll is central; keep to legal timelines.
-
Election Commission of India v. Ashok Kumar (2000) — Courts may step in only to help, not block the flow of elections.
-
Shyamdeo Pd. Singh v. Nawal Kishore Yadav (2000) — Roll has finality; fix issues before finalisation.
-
Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002) — Candidate disclosures (assets, cases, education) add transparency.
-
PUCL v. Union of India (2013) — NOTA — Voter’s right to informed choice and secrecy supports NOTA.
-
Aadhaar Act, 2016 — Section 9 — Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile.
The politics: Campaign stakes around Bihar SIR 2025
On one side, the opposition says deletions hit the poor and movers; therefore, they push on-ground restorations before the cut-off. On the other side, the ruling bloc says Bihar SIR 2025 is about clean rolls and quick help for fixes. Meanwhile, small rifts over pace do appear; however, the core story stays process and rights.
Expert Comment — Dinesh Singh Rawat is an Advocate and the Founder of Dinesh Singh Law Associates.
“I read the Court’s move through law and logistics. In law, the Court followed Ashok Kumar: fix the process, do not halt it. In logistics, the rule is simple: show data, explain reasons, restore fast. Bihar SIR 2025 set a baseline with searchable, reason-coded drops and Aadhaar as ID, not citizenship. Now, shift focus to results. Post daily restorations, decision time on Forms 6/8, and flag outlier seats. If media spot bundled or fake addresses, do spot re-checks before the final roll. Also, help first-time and migrant voters with multi-language desks at bus and rail hubs. If Bihar keeps this pace—and others copy it—SIR will build trust. The key number is not drops announced; it is valid voters restored, on time.”
Three litmus tests:
-
Speed: median Form-6/8 decision ? 72 hours.
-
Clarity: ? 95% deletions have a reason code.
-
Outliers: any seat >2–3 pp off the baseline gets a pre-final audit.
One-liner (social):
“Judge Bihar SIR 2025 by one number: valid voters restored—not deletions announced.” — Dinesh Singh Rawat
What voters should do (Bihar SIR 2025)
First, search your name on the deleted list with your EPIC and note the reason. Next, file Form-6 (new) or Form-8 (fix/shift) by 1 September 2025; Aadhaar can serve as ID. Then, track your case and, finally, check the final roll before polling.
Also, Read
Modi World Leader: Independence Day Speeches 2014–2025
