West Bengal SIR: Supreme Court says Class 10 admit cards must be accompanied by pass certificates to be used as ID

The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that Class 10 exam or Madhyamik admit cards can be produced as supplementary documentation for identity verification during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, but only if they are accompanied by pass certificates.

The clarification was issued by a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after Senior Advocate DS Naidu mentioned the matter this morning.

Notably, the Court had earlier passed an order permitting the use of Madhyamik admit cards for identity verification, along with other forms of ID, including Aadhaar.

Naidu today expressed concerns about whether such admit cards can be permitted to be a standalone identity document.

"Judges from West Bengal (judicial officers who have been engaged to oversee the smooth conduct of SIR) are fully aware of the data available in Madhyamik admit card. That is why we said it will help the Election Commission and anyone verifying the document. Pass certificate does not give date of birth or father's name," observed Justice Bagchi.

"But it cannot be the standalone document," Naidu replied.

The Bench pointed out that it has already indicated that the admit card will only be a supplementary document and not a standalone measure of verifying the holder's identity.

"But Madhyamik pass certificate is one of the documents, we have said that the Madhyamik admit card will supplement it," Justice Bagchi said.

"Yes, not supplant it," noted Naidu.

At this juncture, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan raised concern that that those who do not take and pass the exam may also possess such identity cards.

The Court proceeded to clarify that Class 10 admit cards must be accompanied by pass certificates, if they are going to be used as a supplementary identity verification document during the SIR.

"All documents mentioned in para 3(iii) of order dated February 24, 2026 which are not uploaded so far and received before February 15, shall be submitted by the EROs, AEROs to the presiding judicial officers by tomorrow 5 PM.

Similarly, para 3(iii)(c) is clarified to the effect that Madhyamik admit cards may be submitted along with pass certificate for the purpose of birth certificate and purposes of (proving) parentage," the Court ordered.

[Read February 24 order]

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