Bharatpedia:Guide to deletion

Guide to deletion explains how pages are nominated for deletion on Bharatpedia and how editors can participate in deletion discussions.

A page may be deleted when it does not meet Bharatpedia's policies or inclusion requirements. However, deletion should not be the first option. Editors should consider improving the page before requesting its deletion.

This guide explains the main deletion procedures, how to nominate a page, how discussions work and what to do if a page has been deleted.

Overview of deletion processes

There are several ways a page may be considered for deletion:

• Speedy deletion: Pages that clearly meet the speedy deletion criteria may be deleted by an administrator without a full discussion.
• Proposed deletion: A page may be proposed for deletion when the reason is straightforward and unlikely to be disputed, if this process is supported by Bharatpedia policy.
• Deletion discussion: Editors can discuss whether a page should be kept or deleted. The final decision is based on community consensus.
• Deletion review: Editors may request a review if they believe a deletion decision was incorrect or the procedure was not followed properly.

Different procedures may apply to articles, files, categories, templates and other pages.

Before nominating a page for deletion

Before requesting deletion, editors should:

• Read the article carefully.
• Search for reliable and independent sources about the subject.
• Check whether the article can be improved.
• Review Bharatpedia's notability guidelines.
• Consider whether the content can be merged into another article.
• Check whether the page has already been discussed or deleted.
• Explain the reason for requesting deletion.

An article should not be nominated simply because it is short, poorly written, incomplete or missing references. These problems may be fixed through editing.

General advice

Do not take deletion personally

A deletion nomination is about whether a page belongs on Bharatpedia. It is not a personal attack against the article's creator.

If an article you created is nominated for deletion, you can participate in the discussion and explain why the subject should have an article.

Be respectful

Editors may have different opinions about an article. All participants should remain polite and discuss the content rather than criticising other editors.

Use reliable sources

Deletion discussions should be based on evidence. Editors should search for independent sources and explain how those sources support or fail to support the article.

Avoid creating multiple accounts

Editors must not use multiple accounts to influence a deletion discussion. All participants should contribute honestly and follow Bharatpedia's account policies.

You can improve the article

An article can normally be edited while a deletion discussion is taking place. Editors are encouraged to improve its references, neutrality and overall quality.

However, editors should not remove the deletion notice, blank the article or make major changes intended to interfere with the discussion. Any proposed merger or other significant change should be discussed with the community.

Deletion process

Speedy deletion

Speedy deletion is used for pages that clearly meet one or more of Bharatpedia's speedy deletion criteria.

It is intended for clear cases that do not require a lengthy discussion. Editors requesting speedy deletion should identify the relevant criterion and provide a reason.

An administrator reviews the request and decides whether the page qualifies.

Speedy deletion should not be used simply because an editor dislikes an article or believes that it is unimportant.

Proposed deletion

Proposed deletion may be used for articles where deletion is considered uncontroversial but the page does not meet the speedy deletion criteria.

The applicable proposed deletion notice should explain the reason. If another editor objects, the matter should be handled through the appropriate deletion discussion process.

Deletion discussion

When deletion is disputed or requires community consideration, the article may be nominated for a deletion discussion.

Editors can present arguments for keeping, deleting, merging or redirecting the article. They should support their comments with relevant policies and reliable sources.

The discussion is not decided by counting votes. The closing administrator or authorised editor considers the arguments and determines the outcome according to community consensus.

How to nominate an article for deletion

Before submitting a nomination, make sure that you have checked the article and searched for relevant sources.

Follow these general steps:

1. Open the appropriate deletion discussion page.
2. Create a discussion for the article being nominated.
3. Explain why the article should be considered for deletion.
4. Refer to the relevant Bharatpedia policies or guidelines.
5. Provide evidence and sources where appropriate.
6. Notify the article creator and other major contributors, where appropriate.
7. Sign your comment using ~~~~.

Nominations should be made in good faith. Editors should not nominate pages without checking the subject or considering possible improvements.

Participating in deletion discussions

Anyone who can edit the discussion page may participate, subject to Bharatpedia's editing rules.

When commenting:

• Explain your reasoning.
• Provide reliable sources where possible.
• Discuss the article rather than its creator.
• Avoid personal attacks.
• Do not repeat the same arguments unnecessarily.
• Respect other editors' opinions.
• Follow the discussion until a decision is made, if necessary.

A simple statement such as "Keep" or "Delete" is less helpful than an explanation based on policies and evidence.

Possible discussion outcomes

A deletion discussion may result in one of the following outcomes:

• Keep: The article remains on Bharatpedia.
• Delete: The article is removed.
• Merge: Useful information is incorporated into another article.
• Redirect: The page is replaced with a redirect to another relevant page.
• Draft: The article is moved to a draft area for further improvement, if supported by Bharatpedia.
• No consensus: The discussion does not establish a clear agreement. The outcome is determined according to the applicable deletion policy.

The closing administrator or authorised editor should explain the decision where appropriate.

If you disagree with a deletion decision

If you believe a page was deleted incorrectly, you may contact the administrator who handled the deletion or request a review through Bharatpedia's deletion review process, if available.

Explain the reasons for your disagreement and provide relevant evidence.

If an article was deleted because of poor sourcing or notability concerns, new reliable sources may help support a request for restoration.

Can a deleted article be recreated?

A deleted article may be recreated when the original problems have been addressed.

Before recreating it:

• Check why the article was deleted.
• Read the previous deletion discussion, if available.
• Find additional reliable and independent sources.
• Correct the problems identified in the previous version.
• Write the article in a neutral and encyclopaedic manner.

Recreating the same article without addressing the original reasons for deletion may result in another deletion.

If you are unsure, contact an administrator or prepare a draft for review before publishing it.

Common terms used in deletion discussions

AfD

Articles for deletion; a discussion about whether an article should be deleted.

Speedy deletion

Deletion of a page that clearly meets an established deletion criterion.

Proposed deletion

A proposal to delete a page through a simplified procedure, where supported by policy.

Keep

A recommendation that the article should remain.

Delete

A recommendation that the article should be removed.

Merge

A recommendation to combine the useful content with another article.

Redirect

Replacing a page with a link to another relevant page.

Notability

Whether a subject meets the requirements for having a separate encyclopaedia article.

Reliable source

A published source with a reputation for accuracy and editorial oversight.

Consensus

An agreement reached through discussion and consideration of arguments.

No consensus

A discussion that does not establish a clear agreement.

See also

• Bharatpedia:Deletion policy
• Bharatpedia:Criteria for speedy deletion
• Bharatpedia:Articles for deletion
• Bharatpedia:Deletion review
• Bharatpedia:Notability
• Bharatpedia:Reliable sources
• Bharatpedia:Verifiability
• Bharatpedia:Neutral point of view