What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They will try to confuse by swapping percentage point changes with absolute percentages (e.g., 4.8 pp jump vs 17.1% deletions). Also, they might ask which states have not undergone SIR (J&K, Ladakh, Himachal) versus those not yet released draft rolls (Nagaland, Tripura). Watch out for 'final net deletion' (10.5%) vs 'draft deletion' (12.3% in Phase 2).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Phase 3 SIR deletions: 17.1% (vs 12.3% in Phase 2); absolute deletions: 6.15 crore names; net final deletion in Phase 2: 10.5% 2. Target this Nodal Body: Election Commission of India (ECI) - conducts SIR; Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conduct enumeration 3. Target this Legal Point: Article 324 (EC's powers) & Article 326 (Universal Adult Suffrage); Representation of the People Act, 1950

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News 15 of 18

SIR Phase 3: 17.1% Voter Deletions, 6.15 Crore Names Removed, 4.8 pp Jump from Phase 2

Q: Which constitutional body is responsible for conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?

Election Commission of India, The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Article 324, is the constitutional body responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. The SIR is a special exercise conducted by the ECI through Booth Level Officers to update rolls before elections. The Chief Electoral Officers are state-level appointees of the ECI who oversee implementation.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Phase 3 of SIR covered 19 States and UTs, out of which 17 have released draft rolls. 2. The net deletion in Phase 2 increased from draft rolls to final rolls by 2 percentage points. 3. Urbanisation has been cited by the EC as a reason for higher deletions in Phase 3. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct: 19 States/UTs were in Phase 3, but Nagaland and Tripura have not yet released draft rolls. Statement 2 is incorrect: The net deletion changed from 12.3% (draft) to 10.5% (final) in Phase 2 - a reduction of 1.8 percentage points, not an increase. Statement 3 is incorrect: The article explicitly states the EC has not provided any reasons for the rise in deletions, and urbanisation alone cannot explain it.

Q: What was the percentage of voter deletions in Phase 3 of the SIR draft rolls for the 17 States/UTs?

17.1%, The article states that Phase 3 saw 17.1% deletions (6.15 crore names out of 36.1 crore voters). 12.3% was the Phase 2 draft deletion rate, 10.5% was Phase 2 final net deletion, and 20% was the deletion rate seen in specific states like Delhi and Maharashtra, not the overall Phase 3 figure.

Q: Which of the following best explains the exam relevance of the rise in SIR deletions?

It raises concerns about possible disenfranchisement of legitimate voters under the guise of removing 'Absent' or 'Shifted' entries., The article highlights that the EC has not explained the rise, and that clubbing deletions under 'Absent' or 'Shifted' without clarity could lead to legitimate voters being removed, affecting their fundamental right under Article 326. Option A is too simplistic and ignores the concern. Option C is contradicted by data showing urban Phase 2 states had lower deletions. Option D is not supported as the rise may indicate a flawed process, not efficiency.

PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

16 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:17.1% deletions4.8 pp jump36.1 crore voters pre-SIR Phase 329.9 crore draft roll voters6.15 crore deletions Phase 312.3% Phase 2 draft deletion

Bodies:Election Commission of IndiaBooth Level Officers

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Phase 3 of SIR in 17 States/UTs saw 17.1% deletions (6.15 crore names) from draft rolls, a significant jump from 12.3% in Phase 2 (13 States/UTs).

2.Urban centres like Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh witnessed deletions of 20% or more, far exceeding urban states in Phase 2.

3.The Election Commission has not provided reasons for the rise; more deletions are marked as 'Shifted' or 'Absent' (clubbed under 'Others') in Phase 3.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Phase 3 (17 States/UTs) shows a sharp 4.8 percentage point jump in deletions (17.1%) compared to Phase 2 (12.3%). Over 6.15 crore names were deleted, with many marked as 'Shifted' or 'Absent'. This raises concerns about voter disenfranchisement, especially in urban areas, as the EC has not explained the rise. For exam aspirants, this is a high-impact Polity & Governance topic linked to the Election Commission's powers, electoral roll management, and fundamental rights (Article 326).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Phase 3 Deletions (%)17.1%

Phase 2 Deletions (%)12.3%

Jump in Deletions (pp)4.8 percentage points

Total voters before SIR (Phase 3)36.1 crore

Draft roll voters (Phase 3)29.9 crore

Names deleted (Phase 3)6.15 crore

States with >20% deletionsDelhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra

Phase 2 final net deletion10.5%

1-Minute Revision

›Phase 3 Deletions (%): 17.1%
›Phase 2 Deletions (%): 12.3%
›Target this Data: Phase 3 SIR deletions: 17.1% (vs 12.3% in Phase 2); absolute deletions: 6.15 crore names; net final deletion in Phase 2: 10.5%
›Target this Nodal Body: Election Commission of India (ECI) - conducts SIR; Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conduct enumeration
›Target this Legal Point: Article 324 (EC's powers) & Article 326 (Universal Adult Suffrage); Representation of the People Act, 1950

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News Snapshot

🗳️

Phase 3 SIR Draft Rolls Released

17 of 19 States/UTs (except Nagaland & Tripura) released draft SIR rolls, showing 17.1% deletions overall.

📈

Sharp Rise in Deletions

Deletions jumped 4.8 percentage points from Phase 2; 6 states saw >15% deletions vs only 2 in Phase 2.

❓

EC Silent on Cause

The EC has not explained the rise; urbanisation alone cannot account for it as urban Phase 2 states had lower deletions.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a special exercise conducted by the Election Commission (EC) to update electoral rolls before major elections. It involves house-to-house enumeration by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to add new voters, delete deceased/shifted persons, and correct entries. The EC has conducted SIR in phases across states/UTs, with Phase 3 covering 19 states/UTs (excluding Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh where SIR has not been announced). The exercise is crucial for ensuring accurate voter lists, a cornerstone of free and fair elections under Article 326.

Core Analysis & Implications

The 4.8 percentage point jump in deletions from Phase 2 to Phase 3 is significant. While Phase 2 had a total deletion of 12.3%, Phase 3 recorded 17.1%. The EC has not offered any explanation. The article argues that urbanisation alone cannot explain the rise because highly urbanised states in Phase 2 (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat) did not see such high deletions. Non-urban states like Jharkhand (16.5%) also saw high deletions compared to Chhattisgarh (12.9%) in Phase 2. This suggests systemic issues in the SIR process, such as overzealous deletion by BLOs or flawed guidelines for marking 'Shifted' or 'Absent'.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Final rolls for Phase 3 are yet to be released. Patterns from Phase 1 and 2 suggest that net deletions will not come down significantly (Phase 2: 12.3% draft to 10.5% final). The EC must provide transparency on why deletions have risen. If unchecked, this could disenfranchise millions of voters, especially in urban centres where voter turnout is already lower. For exams, this case highlights the tension between administrative efficiency in electoral roll management and the fundamental right to vote. The EC's independence and accountability are key themes.

Key Facts at a Glance

Phase 3 Deletions (%)17.1%

Phase 2 Deletions (%)12.3%

Jump in Deletions (pp)4.8 percentage points

Total voters before SIR (Phase 3)36.1 crore

Draft roll voters (Phase 3)29.9 crore

Names deleted (Phase 3)6.15 crore

States with >20% deletionsDelhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra

Phase 2 final net deletion10.5%

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC, Banking

Which constitutional body is responsible for conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, State PSC

Consider the following statements:

1. Phase 3 of SIR covered 19 States and UTs, out of which 17 have released draft rolls.

2. The net deletion in Phase 2 increased from draft rolls to final rolls by 2 percentage points.

3. Urbanisation has been cited by the EC as a reason for higher deletions in Phase 3.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What was the percentage of voter deletions in Phase 3 of the SIR draft rolls for the 17 States/UTs?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC, Banking

Which of the following best explains the exam relevance of the rise in SIR deletions?

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SIR Phase 3: 17.1% Voter Deletions, 6.15 Crore Names Removed, 4.8 pp Jump from Phase 2

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Phase 3 SIR Draft Rolls Released

Sharp Rise in Deletions

EC Silent on Cause

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance