NID correction backlog tops 1.17 lakh with 92% filed this year

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

The Election Commission currently has over 117,000 pending National Identity Card correction applications, with nearly 92 percent filed in 2023 and the majority involving critical personal data changes under the Gha category. This backlog highlights ongoing administrative challenges and heightened scrutiny required for sensitive information updates, amid a surge in citizen requests this year.

As of October 18, more than 117,000 applications for corrections to the National Identity Card (NID) remain pending with the Election Commission (EC), with nearly 92 percent of these filed during the current year. According to an EC report, a total of 1,17,666 correction requests were awaiting action, reflecting ongoing challenges in processing applications.

The backlog is predominantly concentrated in the Gha category, accounting for 69,252 cases. This category encompasses corrections to critical personal information such as dates of birth, age, and parents' names, and requires approval from the director general of the EC’s NID wing. The report indicates that while 1,08,225 applications under the Gha category have already been processed, the remaining volume contributes significantly to the overall delay.

Correction requests are grouped into six categories by the EC: Ka, Ka1, Kha, Kha1, Ga, and Gha. The Ka category pertains to minor name corrections including spelling errors, while Ka1 and Kha1 cover minor corrections and spelling adjustments related to photographs or other personal data. The Kha category involves changes to photographs, signatures, and other personal information, whereas Ga includes major changes relating to names or parental information. Gha represents corrections involving key personal data, and as noted, requires heightened scrutiny.

Following the Gha category, the highest number of pending cases falls under Kha with 17,681, followed by Ga at 15,422 applications. The Ka category has 11,191 pending cases, while Kha1 and Ka1 have 3,192 and 928 applications waiting to be processed, respectively.

In terms of total processed applications, the Ka category leads with 42,13,390 cases completed, followed by Kha with 12,56,040 and Ga with 5,96,746. Overall, the EC has processed 64,35,397 correction applications across all categories to date.

The data underscore the ongoing administrative workload faced by the Election Commission in managing identity document corrections, particularly for changes considered sensitive or requiring higher-level validation. The predominance of applications submitted this year suggests a surge in citizen requests or increased awareness about the need to update personal information on official identity documents.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.