Electoral Roll Drive Delays Key Certificates at Charminar Tahsildar Offices

On July 14, 2026, residents and students in the Charminar area and surrounding parts of Hyderabad faced severe delays in obtaining essential caste, income, and residential certificates. The delays occurred after revenue staff at local Tahsildar offices were deployed for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leaving administrative desks understaffed.

The processing time for these crucial documents has doubled. Certificates that were previously issued within a week are now taking more than two weeks to process. This backlog has caused significant difficulties for students who require the certificates for college admissions, scholarship applications, and other official purposes.

Afiya Fatima, a resident of Fateh Darwaza, recounted having to make multiple visits to the Bahadurpura Tahsildar office before she finally received her income certificate. She noted that it took 18 days to get the document and that she was informed of around 2,000 pending income certificate applications at that office alone.

Similar delays have been reported at Tahsildar offices in Bandlaguda, Charminar, and other areas across Hyderabad and its neighbouring districts.

The slow processing times have also led to allegations of exploitation. Mohd Ishtiaq, a resident of Falaknuma, alleged that brokers were taking advantage of the backlog. He claimed that a middleman at the Bandlaguda Tahsildar office offered to fast-track his certificate for a fee, while regular applicants were forced to wait for weeks.

S Kavya, a student from Chandrayangutta, expressed concern over how the delays are impacting her education. She stated that her college has demanded her income and residential certificates before the upcoming admission deadline, but office staff continually tell her to return later because they are occupied with SIR tasks.

While revenue officials have stated that the SIR is a priority exercise, they maintained that efforts are being made to clear the backlog of applications at the earliest. Local residents have urged the government to make alternative arrangements to ensure public services are not disrupted during electoral drives.