Published: 2 March 2026Social News XYZ / IndiaVision / ProKerala / GlobalGovernanceNewsRajasthan
Rajasthan Scraps 31-Year-Old Two-Child Norm for Local Body Elections; Assembly Passes Amendment Bills
The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in early March 2026, eliminating the two-child norm that had barred individuals with more than two children from contesting Panchayati Raj elections for the past 31 years. The Rajasthan Municipal (Amendment) Bill, removing the same condition for urban local body elections, was subsequently taken up for passage.
The original two-child norm was introduced through the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, during the tenure of Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. The amendment changes Section 19 of the Act, removing disqualifications related to both the two-child criterion and leprosy-based conditions, the latter having already been struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
The repeal aligns with the recommendations of the National Commission for Women, the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on electoral rights, and Union Government advisories which noted that such norms disproportionately exclude women and marginalised communities — particularly Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes — from local governance participation. For RPSC RAS aspirants, this amendment is significant for Rajasthan Polity, Panchayati Raj, Public Administration, and Gender Equity topics.
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Linked questionEasy
Which category does Rajasthan's removal of the two-child eligibility norm for local body elections primarily fall under?
Explanation · Correct answer CRajasthan passed amendments to its Panchayati Raj and municipal laws to remove the two-child eligibility criterion for candidates in local body elections. Since the change alters electoral eligibility and local-government rules, it is a governance and policy development.
Frequently asked questions
What was the two-child norm in Rajasthan and when was it introduced?
The two-child norm was an eligibility condition introduced in 1994 under Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat that barred any person with more than two children from contesting panchayat elections in Rajasthan. It remained in force for 31 years before being scrapped by the Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Which constitutional amendment established Panchayati Raj institutions and what does Article 40 mandate?
India's 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) established Panchayati Raj institutions as the third tier of democratic government. Article 40 of the Indian Constitution separately directs the state to organise village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government.
Why does scrapping the two-child norm matter for women and marginalised communities?
The two-child norm disproportionately disqualified women and marginalised community members — who often have less control over family-planning decisions — from contesting local body elections. Its removal broadens democratic participation and brings Rajasthan in line with the inclusive spirit of the 73rd Amendment.
How many gram panchayats does Rajasthan have and how are they organised?
Rajasthan has 11,341 gram panchayats spread across 352 panchayat samitis in 33 districts. This three-tier structure — gram panchayat, panchayat samiti, and zila parishad — forms the backbone of rural self-governance in the state.
What other states had similar two-child norms, and what has been the national trend?
Several states including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana had introduced similar two-child norms for local body elections. The Supreme Court has generally upheld their validity, but many states have progressively diluted or repealed them as the norms were found to exclude the poor and marginalised rather than effectively curbing population growth.
