Supreme Court Allows Class 10 Admit Cards With Pass Certificates As ID In West Bengal SIR

India’s Supreme Court has provided clarity on the use of Class 10 admit cards in West Bengal’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, ruled that admit cards may be used for identity verification only when accompanied by pass certificates.  

The decision came after concerns were raised about whether admit cards could be treated as standalone identity documents. The court emphasized that the admit card would serve only as supplementary documentation, ensuring that verification processes remain robust and reliable.  

Key Highlights  

• Supreme Court allows Class 10 admit cards with pass certificates as supplementary ID  
• Ruling applies to ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal  
• Bench led by CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued the order  
• Court clarified that admit cards alone cannot serve as standalone identity proof  
• Decision aims to strengthen verification standards and prevent misuse in electoral processes  

Strategic Impact  
The ruling is significant in the context of electoral integrity in West Bengal. By allowing admit cards with pass certificates as supplementary documents, the Supreme Court balances accessibility with security. Analysts note that this decision ensures that genuine voters are not excluded while maintaining safeguards against fraudulent entries. The clarification also highlights the judiciary’s role in resolving disputes around identity verification in electoral exercises, reinforcing trust in democratic processes.  

Sources: Deccan Herald, Bar and Bench, The Indian Express