The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Legal Challenge: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

ExamRobot — UPSC prep tools

Explore
You're viewing a preview. For the full experience — customised selections, topic filters, and deep insights in a rich dashboard — sign in with Google.
GS-23 events · 2025-10-28 → 2026-01-22

Can a constitutional body exercise 'widest discretion' without any regulation? On January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court answered this as it navigated a clash between the Kerala government and the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Overview

This arc tracks a legal battle over the Election Commission of India's (ECI) power to revise electoral rolls. It began in October 2025 when the ECI initiated a second phase of revisions, which the Kerala government challenged in the Supreme Court, seeking a deferment. The case moved from a simple procedural notice in November 2025 to a landmark observation by the Supreme Court in January 2026. The Court clarified that while Article 324 grants the ECI immense 'superintendence' powers, these are not absolute; they must adhere to natural justice and specific statutory rules like Rule 25(2), which mandates a transparent process for fresh rolls.

How This Story Evolved

EC starts revision (Item 6) → Kerala challenges SIR process (Item 2) → SC defines EC's SIR powers (Item 8)

  1. 2025-10-28: Finance Ministry Reports Strong Growth Outlook with GST Cuts
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Finance ministry reports strong growth outlook with GST cuts.

    Key Facts:

    • Indian Finance Ministry
    • Strong growth outlook
    • GST cuts
    • Supreme Court
    • Vodafone Idea
    • AGR dues
    • Election Commission
    • Electoral roll revision
  2. 2025-11-22: Supreme Court Notice to EC on Kerala Plea
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC notice to EC on Kerala plea to defer electoral roll revision.

    Key Facts:

    • Supreme Court issued notice to EC on Kerala plea regarding deferment of SIR.
    • Connects to Article 324 of the Constitution.
    • Relates to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) reforms.
    • Concerns transparency in the electoral process.
  3. 2026-01-22: Election Commission's Powers During Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC acknowledges EC's discretion under Article 324 during SIR.

    Key Facts:

    • The EC has the widest discretion under Article 324 during SIR.
    • EC's discretion cannot be unregulated and must respect natural justice.
    • Rule 25(2) mandates that intensive revision must follow Rules 4–23.

Genesis

Trigger

The Election Commission initiated the second phase of electoral roll revision on October 28, 2025.

Why Now

The revision was part of a scheduled SIR (Special Intensive Revision) cycle meant to enhance the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Historical Context

The ECI's power under Article 324 has historically been interpreted as a 'reservoir of power' (Mohinder Singh Gill case), but state governments have occasionally challenged its timing or methodology to ensure local administrative readiness.

Key Turning Points

  1. [2025-11-22] Supreme Court issues notice to EC on Kerala's plea.

    It signaled that judicial intervention is possible if a state government raises concerns about the 'fairness' or 'timing' of EC's autonomy.

    Before: EC's revision schedule was seen as an internal administrative matter. After: It became a contested legal issue involving federal stakeholders.

  2. [2026-01-22] SC's observation on 'Regulated Discretion'.

    It established a constitutional ceiling; ECI's power is wide but not 'unregulated.'

    Before: Ambiguity existed on how much the EC could deviate from Rules 4-23 during 'intensive' revisions. After: Rule 25(2) was cemented as a mandatory procedural safeguard.

Key Actors and Institutions

NameRoleRelevance
Election Commission of India (ECI)Constitutional BodyInitiated the 2nd phase of roll revision and defended its autonomous discretion under Article 324.
Kerala State GovernmentPetitionerFiled a plea in the Supreme Court on November 22, 2025, seeking the deferment of the SIR process.
Supreme Court of IndiaJudicial ArbiterIssued notices and eventually defined the legal boundaries of 'unregulated discretion' in electoral revisions.

Key Institutions

  • Election Commission of India (ECI)
  • Supreme Court of India (SC)
  • Government of Kerala

Key Concepts

Article 324

A constitutional provision vesting the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission.

Current Fact: On January 22, 2026, the SC acknowledged ECI has the 'widest discretion' under this Article during SIR.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

A thorough process of updating electoral rolls, involving house-to-house enumeration to ensure no eligible voter is left out.

Current Fact: The ECI started the 2nd phase of this revision on October 28, 2025.

Rule 25(2) of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960

A statutory rule requiring that any intensive revision of electoral rolls must follow the procedures laid down for preparing fresh rolls (Rules 4 to 23).

Current Fact: The SC explicitly mandated that SIR must follow this rule as per its January 2026 observation.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court has upheld the ECI's wide discretion while imposing a 'regulatory' boundary, insisting that deviations from standard procedure must respect natural justice.

Likely Next

The ECI will likely issue new guidelines or 'Standard Operating Procedures' (SOPs) that explicitly align SIR processes with Rules 4–23 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to avoid further litigation.

Wildcards

If other states follow Kerala's lead and challenge the timing of SIR during local festivities or administrative crises, it could lead to a permanent 'Election Calendar' law by Parliament.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

  • Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  • Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Essay Angles

  • The delicate balance between Institutional Autonomy and Judicial Oversight.
  • Federalism and the conduct of elections: When States and the EC clash.

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

  • Tests whether preparation of electoral rolls is a function of the ECI. — This arc deep-dives into the 'how' and 'legal limits' of that specific function.
  • Reference to SC on EC's power to defer elections (Gujarat 2002). — Both involve the SC defining the limits of EC's discretionary power under Article 324 when challenged by a government.

Prelims Angles

  • Whether SIR (Special Intensive Revision) must follow Rules 4–23 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (Fact: Yes, per Rule 25(2)).
  • The scope of Article 324: Does it allow 'unregulated' discretion? (Fact: No, it must respect natural justice and transparency).
  • Which body initiates the revision of electoral rolls? (Fact: Election Commission of India).

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: ‘The power of the Election Commission under Article 324 is a reservoir of power, yet it cannot be exercised in a vacuum of unregulated discretion.’ Discuss in light of the recent legal challenges to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Answer Structure: Intro: Define Art 324 and its 'superintendence' role. → Body 1: Explain the Kerala challenge and why states seek deferment. → Body 2: Analyze the SC's 2026 observation on 'widest discretion' vs 'regulated power'. → Body 3: Discuss the importance of Rule 25(2) and natural justice in electoral integrity. → Conclusion: Summarize how procedural fairness strengthens democratic legitimacy.

Essay Topic: Autonomy and Accountability: The Twin Pillars of Constitutional Institutions.

Textbook Connections

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed. Chapter 43: Election Commission, p. 419

Provides the foundational meaning of Article 324 and 'superintendence, direction, and control'.

Gap: The textbook explains the power but does not detail the specific constraints of 'Rule 25(2)' of the Registration of Electors Rules 1960 mentioned in the arc.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed. Chapter 81: Election Laws, p. 581

Lists the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Gap: The textbook lists the rules but doesn't explain how the Supreme Court interprets Rule 25(2) as a check on EC's discretion during SIR.

Quick Revision

  • EC started 2nd phase of electoral roll revision on Oct 28, 2025.
  • Kerala filed a plea for deferment of SIR on Nov 22, 2025.
  • Supreme Court's final observation on EC powers occurred on Jan 22, 2026.
  • Article 324 gives ECI 'widest discretion' but not 'unregulated' power.
  • Rule 25(2) mandates SIR must follow Rules 4 to 23 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
  • Key procedural requirements for SIR: Fresh roll preparation, Natural Justice, and Transparency.
  • The 1960 Rules provide the statutory framework for the preparation and publication of electoral rolls.

Key Takeaway

While Article 324 provides the Election Commission with expansive 'superintendence' powers, the Supreme Court has clarified that this discretion must be anchored in statutory rules (Rule 25) and principles of natural justice to ensure electoral transparency.

All Events in This Story (3 items)

  1. 2025-10-28 [Economy] — Finance Ministry Reports Strong Growth Outlook with GST Cuts
    The Indian finance ministry has reported a strong growth outlook, bolstered by GST cuts expected to enhance demand and investment. The Supreme Court is considering Vodafone Idea's plea regarding AGR dues. The Election Commission has started the second phase of electoral roll revision.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Finance ministry reports strong growth outlook with GST cuts.

    Key Facts:

    • Indian Finance Ministry
    • Strong growth outlook
    • GST cuts
    • Supreme Court
    • Vodafone Idea
    • AGR dues
    • Election Commission
    • Electoral roll revision
  2. 2025-11-22 [Polity & Governance] — Supreme Court Notice to EC on Kerala Plea
    The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission on a plea from Kerala seeking deferment of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This action tests the balance between the Election Commission's autonomy and judicial intervention, connecting to Article 324, SIR reforms, and transparency in the electoral process.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC notice to EC on Kerala plea to defer electoral roll revision.

    Key Facts:

    • Supreme Court issued notice to EC on Kerala plea regarding deferment of SIR.
    • Connects to Article 324 of the Constitution.
    • Relates to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) reforms.
    • Concerns transparency in the electoral process.
  3. 2026-01-22 [Polity & Governance] — Election Commission's Powers During Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
    The Supreme Court made observations on the Election Commission's (EC) powers during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, acknowledging the EC's widest discretion under Article 324 of the Constitution. However, this discretion cannot be unregulated, and deviations must respect natural justice, transparency, and fairness. Rule 25(2) mandates that intensive revision must follow Rules 4–23, including preparation of a fresh roll.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: SC acknowledges EC's discretion under Article 324 during SIR.

    Key Facts:

    • The EC has the widest discretion under Article 324 during SIR.
    • EC's discretion cannot be unregulated and must respect natural justice.
    • Rule 25(2) mandates that intensive revision must follow Rules 4–23.

Explore More Current Affairs

Browse all current affairs themes and story arcs on our blog