The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept Aadhaar cards as a valid identity proof for inclusion in Bihar's revised voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This decision, made on Monday, September 8, 2025, designates Aadhaar as the "12th document" acceptable for identification purposes.
The court clarified that while Aadhaar can be submitted as a standalone document for voter list inclusion, similar to the other eleven documents specified by the ECI, it does not serve as proof of citizenship. The ECI retains the right to verify the authenticity of Aadhaar cards, similar to other documents, by requesting additional proof if necessary.
This directive comes in the context of the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), an exercise to update the state's electoral rolls. The Supreme Court's intervention addresses concerns about potential mass exclusion of eligible voters from the list.
The court had previously directed the ECI on July 10, 2025, to consider Aadhaar, along with ration cards and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), for voter list updates. On August 22, the court further allowed individuals excluded from the draft list to apply for inclusion using their Aadhaar card or any of the other eleven approved documents.
During the proceedings, the court addressed the ECI's initial reluctance to accept Aadhaar, which stemmed from the understanding that Aadhaar, while proof of identity, is not proof of citizenship. Justice Bagchi, however, pointed out that the Aadhaar Act recognizes it as a valid document for identity and residence.
The Supreme Court has instructed the ECI to publicize the list of 6.5 million voters removed from the electoral rolls, along with the reasons for deletion, through various media channels. This includes advertisements in vernacular newspapers, television, social media, and the ECI website, ensuring that affected individuals can seek corrections.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the Association for Democratic Reforms, stated that the court directed the ECI to advertise that it would accept Aadhaar cards in addition to the previously specified eleven documents.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 15, 2025.
