UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A troubling judgment and endorsement of the SIR

Q1. With reference to the Supreme Court's judgment of 27 May 2026 upholding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, consider the following provisions said to constitute the basis of ECI's power to conduct SIR: 1. Article 324 of the Constitution of India 2. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 3. Article 368 of the Constitution of India 4. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Article 324 of the Constitution of India
  2. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
  3. Article 368 of the Constitution of India
  4. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q2. How many documents were originally specified by the Election Commission of India as admissible proof for inclusion in the electoral rolls under the 2025 Bihar Special Intensive Revision, before the Supreme Court's interim direction to add Aadhaar?

  • A. 9
  • B. 10
  • C. 11
  • D. 12

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted in Bihar in 2025: 1. It involved house-to-house enumeration of voters. 2. The qualifying date for inclusion was 01 July 2025. 3. It is part of the routine annual revision cycle of electoral rolls under the RPA, 1950. 4. It was implemented by the Election Commission of India. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It involved house-to-house enumeration of voters.
  2. The qualifying date for inclusion was 01 July 2025.
  3. It is part of the routine annual revision cycle of electoral rolls under the RPA, 1950.
  4. It was implemented by the Election Commission of India.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of Indian electoral administration, the term 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The annual name-based summary revision of electoral rolls undertaken on the basis of claims and objections
  • B. A comprehensive house-to-house revision of the electoral roll ordered by the Election Commission of India outside the routine annual cycle
  • C. The redrawing of constituency boundaries by the Delimitation Commission after every census
  • D. The issuance of fresh electoral photo identity cards (EPICs) by the ECI following a general election

Q5. Consider the following statements comparing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) with the routine Summary Revision of electoral rolls: 1. Summary Revision is undertaken annually, whereas SIR is an exceptional, comprehensive house-to-house revision ordered at the ECI's discretion. 2. Both Summary Revision and SIR derive their statutory authority from Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 3. Unlike Summary Revision, the Bihar SIR (2025) did not require voters to submit any documentary proof. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Summary Revision is undertaken annually, whereas SIR is an exceptional, comprehensive house-to-house revision ordered at the ECI's discretion.
  2. Both Summary Revision and SIR derive their statutory authority from Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
  3. Unlike Summary Revision, the Bihar SIR (2025) did not require voters to submit any documentary proof.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3