The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the state Assembly on March 9, removes the 31-year-old two-child norm for contesting panchayat elections. The amendment changes Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, eliminating child-related eligibility restrictions for posts including ward panch, sarpanch, panchayat samiti member, zila parishad member, pradhan and district head. The two-child norm was introduced during former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's tenure to control population growth. The government cited declining population growth rates due to rising education and awareness among women as the rationale. A similar Municipal Amendment Bill removes the restriction for urban local body elections.
Rajasthan Assembly Had Earlier Scrapped Two-Child Norm for Panchayati Raj Elections
AQuick answer
Rajasthan scrapped the 31-year-old two-child norm for panchayat elections through the Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2026.
Key facts
- The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the state Assembly on March 9, removing the 31-year-old two-child norm for panchayat elections.
- The amendment changes Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
- The restriction is removed for posts including ward panch, sarpanch, panchayat samiti member, zila parishad member, pradhan, and district head.
- The two-child norm was introduced during former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's tenure to control population growth.
- The government cited declining population growth rates due to rising education and awareness among women as the rationale.
- A similar Municipal Amendment Bill removes the restriction for urban local body elections.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 What are the challenges in the effective implementation of "Rajasthan Panchayat Raj (Modification of Provisions in their Application to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1999"? — Implementation challenges of Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Act in scheduled areas — directly relevant.
Mains angle
Question: Critically assess Rajasthan's removal of the two-child norm for panchayat elections through the Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2026.
Answer (50 words): The Rajasthan Assembly on March 9, 2026 amended Section 19 of the 1994 Act, ending a 31-year-old two-child eligibility bar for sarpanch, ward panch, panchayat samiti, zila parishad and pradhan posts. Government cited declining fertility rates and women's empowerment, while a parallel Municipal Bill removes the restriction for urban bodies.
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Panchayati Raj & MunicipalitiesRajasthan Political & Administrative SystemUrban & Rural Local GovernmentIndian Constitution & Governance
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Linked questionEasy
The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 removes which eligibility restriction for panchayat elections?
Explanation · Correct answer B
The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed on March 9, removes the 31-year-old two-child norm for contesting panchayat elections by amending Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
Source: The Wire
Frequently asked questions
What did the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill, 2026 remove?
The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the state Assembly on March 9, removes the 31-year-old two-child norm for contesting panchayat elections.
Which part of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act was changed, and which posts are covered?
The amendment changes Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, eliminating child-related eligibility restrictions. The covered posts include ward panch, sarpanch, panchayat samiti member, zila parishad member, pradhan, and district head.
Why was the two-child norm introduced, and why did the government cite removing it?
The two-child norm was introduced during former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's tenure to control population growth. The government cited declining population growth rates due to rising education and awareness among women as the rationale for removal.
What similar election restriction change was mentioned for urban local bodies?
A similar Municipal Amendment Bill removes the restriction for urban local body elections.
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