The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is the Election Commission of India’s exercise to rebuild electoral rolls afresh after more than two decades.

Unlike the routine Special Summary Revision, which only updates additions and deletions, SIR prepares the rolls from scratch. Conducted eight times since 1951, the last intensive revision was held between 2002 and 2005.

The exercise began in Bihar in June 2025 and expanded in October 2025 to 12 states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. A third phase announced this year covers 16 states and 3 union territories including Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab.

Booth Level Officers visit every household up to three times, and voters submit enumeration forms with accepted documents. The Commission says the drive removes duplicate entries, deceased voters and ineligible names.

The move has drawn political attention because it covers poll-bound states, but the Commission calls it a participative process involving electors, political parties and election officials.