UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC flags ‘stress’ triggered by SIR in Bengal

Q1. Which one of the following bodies is empowered to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies?

  • A. The State Election Commission of the respective State
  • B. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
  • C. The Election Commission of India
  • D. The Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

Q2. With reference to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls notified by the Election Commission of India in 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. While Phase I of the SIR was confined to Bihar, Phase II covers twelve States and Union Territories, including West Bengal. 2. Under Phase II, the final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on 7 February 2026. 3. Phase II of the SIR extends to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. While Phase I of the SIR was confined to Bihar, Phase II covers twelve States and Union Territories, including West Bengal.
  2. Under Phase II, the final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on 7 February 2026.
  3. Phase II of the SIR extends to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to Phase II of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls notified by the Election Commission of India in October 2025, which of the following States/Union Territories are covered? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Himachal Pradesh 3. West Bengal 4. Jammu & Kashmir Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Tamil Nadu
  2. Himachal Pradesh
  3. West Bengal
  4. Jammu & Kashmir
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q4. The power of the Election Commission of India to superintend, direct and control the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State flows primarily from:

  • A. Article 324 of the Constitution read with the Representation of the People Act, 1950
  • B. Article 326 of the Constitution read with the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • C. Article 327 of the Constitution read with the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961
  • D. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 read with Article 324

Q5. Of the categories under which the Election Commission of India issued notices to West Bengal voters during the Special Intensive Revision, which one constituted the single largest category cited before the Supreme Court (January 2026)?

  • A. Deceased voters
  • B. Permanently shifted voters
  • C. Voters flagged under 'Logical Discrepancy'
  • D. Duplicate enrolment voters