In a significant development for the upcoming Bihar elections, the Supreme Court has ruled that Aadhaar will now be accepted as a valid document for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While this expands the options for citizens to prove their identity, the court firmly clarified that Aadhaar does not serve as proof of citizenship. The Election Commission of India (ECI) retains the authority to verify the genuineness of all documents submitted.
Following the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, the Election Commission promptly directed Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer on September 9, 2025, to implement instructions for accepting Aadhaar during the SIR process. This decision adds Aadhaar to the existing list of 11 documents previously specified by the ECI for verifying birth and residency when updating voter information.