Voter ID Update: Aadhaar Accepted as
12th Identity Document & SIR 2025

The 3rd major update regarding Voter ID and Aadhaar integration marks one of the most significant changes to the Indian electoral system in 2025. It signifies a shift toward digital-first verification while respecting recent Supreme Court directives.

1 Aadhaar as the "12th Document"

The Nuance: The Supreme Court clarified that while Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship, it is a valid proof of identity under Section 23(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1950.

Impact: This inclusion simplifies the process for citizens lacking traditional birth certificates to get onto the voter list. Authorities are now legally mandated to accept Aadhaar for the "inclusion or exclusion" of names in the electoral roll.

2 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025–2026

The ECI has launched Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision across 12 major states (including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat).

• Door-to-Door Verification: Completed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) between November and early December 2025.
• The "Blinking Green" App: BLOs now use a mobile app that "blinks green" to signal a successful, instant identity match when scanning Aadhaar to link with Voter ID (EPIC).
• Draft Publication (Dec 9, 2025): Draft lists are out. Citizens have until January 8, 2026 to file claims or objections.

3 Linking Aadhaar with Voter ID (Form 6B)

While voluntary, the ECI is heavily promoting Aadhaar-Voter linking to "purify" the rolls by eliminating duplicates and "ghost voters."

4 Voting Without a Physical Voter ID

For the upcoming 2026 elections, the ECI confirmed that if your name is on the roll but you lack your physical Voter ID card, you can use any of 12 alternative photo IDs, with Aadhaar being the most preferred alternative.