UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Restrictive’ software tools used for SIR: SC

Q1. In the context of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the term 'logical discrepancies' as used by the Election Commission of India refers to:

• A. Entries flagged by the ECI's software where data fields such as name spellings, parentage details or parent-child age gaps fall outside prescribed parameters, requiring explanation by the voter
• B. Voters whose names appear in the electoral rolls of two different constituencies and are liable to deletion as duplicate entries under the Representation of the People Act, 1950
• C. Cases where Booth Level Officers report the physical absence of the voter at the registered address during house-to-house verification
• D. Voters whose biometric details fail to match the Aadhaar database during the voter-Aadhaar linkage exercise

Q2. Which of the following judges headed the Supreme Court Bench that, in February 2026, observed that the Election Commission of India was deploying 'very restrictive' software tools in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal?

• A. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
• B. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
• C. Justice Dipankar Datta
• D. Justice B.R. Gavai

Q3. How many Appellate Tribunals were constituted in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court in 2026 to adjudicate appeals arising from deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal?

• A. 9
• B. 14
• C. 19
• D. 24

Q4. With reference to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, consider the following parameters used by the ECI's software to flag voter entries under the 'logical discrepancies' category: 1. Mismatch between the voter's name or parent's name and the 2002 base electoral roll. 2. Age difference between the voter and a parent being less than 15 years or more than 50 years. 3. A voter being recorded as having more than a prescribed number of children. 4. Failure of the voter's Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

1. Mismatch between the voter's name or parent's name and the 2002 base electoral roll.
2. Age difference between the voter and a parent being less than 15 years or more than 50 years.
3. A voter being recorded as having more than a prescribed number of children.
4. Failure of the voter's Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to the legal and institutional framework underlying the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in India, consider the following statements: 1. Article 324 of the Constitution vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Representation of the People Act, 1950 governs the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. 3. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provides the procedural framework for enrolment of voters. 4. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution prescribes the conditions for disqualification of voters from the electoral roll. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. Article 324 of the Constitution vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
2. The Representation of the People Act, 1950 governs the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
3. The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provides the procedural framework for enrolment of voters.
4. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution prescribes the conditions for disqualification of voters from the electoral roll.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 4 only
• D. 3 and 4