ECI asks 17 States, 5 UTs to prepare for next phase of SIR in April

Chandani — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:42:00 +0000

ECI asks 17 States, 5 UTs to prepare for next phase of SIR in April

So the poll body is moving fast on voter lists. The ECI wants 22 regions ready for the next SIR phase. The start? April 2026. In fact, officials sent letters to poll chiefs on Thursday. Plus, the work must finish at the earliest date.

States and UTs on the List

But here is the big list for this round. It covers 17 states and 5 union territories across India. Andhra, Delhi, and Punjab? All on there. Consequently, local teams must now map old files to new ones.

Moreover, teams must train booth staff right away. These officers will go door-to-door to check names. Previously, Bihar finished this task first last year. So the rest of the country must now catch up. Therefore, the system will be fresh for the next big vote.

Summary of ECI SIR Phase 3 (April 2026)

Feature	Details	Status
📅 Start Date	April 2026	Expected
🗺️ Regions	17 States, 5 UTs	22 Total
👥 Staff	School Teachers	Common Pool
📂 Data Base	2002-2004 Rolls	Mapping Needed
📊 Census Overlap	April 1 Launch	High Risk

The Census Conflict

Still, a major resource war is brewing. The 2027 Census also starts its first phase in April. The clash? Staffing. And both tasks use the same pool of government teachers. Accordingly, the ECI is meeting with the Census chief to fix the schedule.

But critics are already raising red flags. The Trinamool Congress says the ECI is breaking spirit of court rules. Why? Document checks. Plus, some worry that doubling up on work will lead to errors. Essentially, the state is asking too much from one group of workers.

Current SIR Status Across India

Then there are the states already in the thick of it. Twelve regions are in phase two right now. The catch? Constant delays. In fact, Uttar Pradesh has seen the most extensions so far. Indeed, keeping these lists clean is a slow, hard job.

Worth noting: Assam is the only state doing a “special” update. Legal snags with the NRC stopped the full SIR there. So they follow a different path for now. Ultimately, the goal is one clean list for every Indian voter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ECI SIR starting in April 2026? So it is the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. Because of this, staff will check every home in 22 states and UTs to update the rolls.

Why is there a conflict between the SIR and the Census? In fact, both use the same government teachers as field staff. Consequently, the state must stagger the work so teachers aren’t doing two jobs at once.

Which states are in the April 2026 SIR phase? But the list includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and 18 others. These are the last regions to undergo the full update process.

Cash transactions of ₹20 lakh or more: Who must quote PAN under new 2026 Rules?

Chandani — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:48:59 +0000

Cash transactions of ₹20 lakh or more: Who must quote PAN under new 2026 Rules?

So the taxman is back. Rule 161 of the Draft Income Tax Rules 2026 targets big Cash transactions. The goal? Clear trails. In fact, the state wants to stop tax theft. Plus, the Street is talking.

New Cash Limits

But here is the main part. You need a PAN for cash in of ₹20 lakh or more. Is it per year? Yes. And this limit counts all your bank accounts. Consequently, banks will watch every note.

Moreover, the rules changed for cash out too. Now, taking out ₹20 lakh in cash needs a PAN card. Before, some gaps remained. So post offices and small banks must now check your ID. There is no hiding.

Summary of 2026 PAN Rules for High-Value Transactions

Transaction Type	Cash Limit (Annual)	PAN Card Needed?
🏦 Cash Deposit	₹20 Lakh or more	MANDATORY
💸 Cash Withdrawal	₹20 Lakh or more	MANDATORY
📂 Opening Current Account	Any Amount	MANDATORY
🏛️ Govt. Transactions	Any Amount	EXEMPT (No)
🌍 Consular Offices	Any Amount	EXEMPT (No)

New Bank Rules

Still, new accounts have hurdles. You need a PAN to start a current account. The task? A must. And the job of checking lies with the banks. Accordingly, they must check your data fast.

But some people get a pass. Specifically, the State and Central Govts are exempt. Why? Law. Plus, foreign consuls do not need to show a PAN. Essentially, they sit outside these draft rules.

Global Rules

Then there is the IFSC case. Non-residents using IFSC units might avoid the PAN trap. The rule? No Indian tax due. And global firms get this same perk in the IFSC zone. Indeed, it keeps Gift City busy.

Worth noting: The Tax Chief handles all digital checks. They track the prints of your cash. So if you move 50 grand in bags, have your card ready. Ultimately, the tax office is watching.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a PAN for cash transactions of ₹20 lakh or more? So the answer is yes under the 2026 rules. Because of this, you must show your PAN for big cash deals.

Who is exempt from quoting PAN for large cash transactions? In fact, the State and Central Govts are free from this rule. Additionally, some global units in IFSC zones are also exempt.

What happens if I deposit ₹30 lakh without a PAN? But the bank will block the deal. Consequently, they must check your PAN before they take the cash.

rule 161 income tax - Rightsofemployees.com

ECI asks 17 States, 5 UTs to prepare for next phase of SIR in April