India to Conduct Special Intensive Revision of Voter Rolls in 22 States and UTs Starting April 2026

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed state authorities to prepare for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 22 states and Union Territories, with the process expected to initiate in April 2026. This comprehensive revision aims to ensure accurate and up-to-date voter lists ahead of future elections.

States and UTs Involved

The states and Union Territories scheduled to undergo the SIR process are: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand. India TV News reported on February 19, 2026, that the ECI has asked Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to complete preparatory work at the earliest.

What is the Special Intensive Revision?

The SIR exercise involves a comprehensive revision of electoral rolls, including registering new voters, verifying existing entries, and removing ineligible names. According to the ECI, this process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Preparatory Work and Timeline

The ECI has instructed CEOs to expedite preparatory work, including mapping existing voters with the electoral roll from 2002-2004 (when the last SIR was conducted) and training Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to effectively carry out the revision process. The target start date for the SIR across these states and UTs is April 2026.

Previous SIR Phases and Ongoing Efforts

Bihar was the first state to complete the SIR process in 2025, prior to its Assembly election. A second phase, encompassing 12 states and UTs (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan), is currently underway. Assam conducted a special revision instead of SIR due to legal challenges related to the National Register of Citizens.

Coordination with the Census 2027

The ECI is coordinating with the Registrar General of India and the Census Commissioner to manage administrative resources effectively, as the first phase of the Population Census 2027, including house listing operations, is also scheduled to begin in April 2026. Both the SIR and the Census will rely heavily on government school teachers for enumeration.

Andhra Pradesh Specific Updates

In Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Electoral Officer is also focused on the empanelment of agencies for printing and supplying PVC ID cards for Booth Level Officers and other election officials. This preparation is in line with the broader efforts to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process.