Supreme Court on Madhyamik Admit Card: 10th admit card is no longer a standalone ID, the court has decided new rules

News India Live, Digital Desk: The Supreme Court has cleared the confusion that arose regarding documents during the voter list purification (SIR) process of West Bengal. The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi clarified that the 10th admit card will be valid only as a ‘Supplementary Document’.1. Use of Admit Card: Where will it be valid? According to the Supreme Court, the Secondary Admit Card can be used mainly for the following two purposes: Verification of Date of Birth (DOB): Since the West Bengal Board often does not mention the date of birth in the certificate, the admit card will be considered as a ‘supplementary’ document to prove age. Proof of Parentage: Progeny Linking of parents’ names in the voter list. The admit card will prove to be an important link, because the name of the father/mother is clearly recorded in it. [1.1, 5.1]2. Mandatory condition: Pass certificate is mandatory. The court has clearly stated that the admit card has value only if it is accompanied by a ‘pass certificate’. Not valid alone: ​​One cannot prove one’s identity or age by merely showing the admit card. Prevention of fraud: The court argues that the admit card is merely a proof of having appeared in the examination, whereas the pass certificate ensures that the particulars are officially verified. [3.4, 5.2]3. ‘Logical Discrepancy’ and the role of admit card: About 80 lakh voters in West Bengal are under the siege of claims and objections. Many of these cases are of ‘Logical Discrepancy’: If the age difference between a voter and his/her parents is less than 15 years or more than 50 years. If the name or details are not matching with the 2002 voter list. In such cases, judicial authorities will ensure correct identification by matching the admit card with Aadhaar and pass certificate. [1.5, 3.1]4. Strict instructions to election officials (ERO/AERO) The Supreme Court has directed the electoral registration authorities to: Deadline: All physical or electronic documents received by 15 February 2026, which have not yet been uploaded, are mandatory to be handed over to the judicial authorities concerned by 5 pm on 27 February. Verification: The name of any eligible voter should not be struck off merely because he does not have a ‘standalone’ birth certificate, provided he Submit supplementary documents (like admit card + pass certificate). [1.4, 4.3]