Rajasthan Assembly passes Bill to scrap two-child norm for panchayat elections

The Rajasthan Assembly on Monday, March 10, 2026, passed a bill to repeal the provision barring candidates with more than two children from contesting Panchayati Raj elections. The legal provision was implemented in the state in 1995 during the government led by former Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed in the Assembly after a bitter debate in which Opposition Congress MLAs questioned the need to roll back the decision taken three decades ago. Congress members also demanded when the panchayat elections, which have been pending for over a year, will be held.

The bill, passed by voice vote, amended Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, eliminating the two-child norm that had previously barred individuals from contesting elections. This provision was applicable to both Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar said this provision was made as a “population control measure” during a period between 1991-94 when the fertility rate was as high as 3.6. “With the impact of family planning, social change, women’s literacy and healthcare, the fertility rate has fallen to 2.0. Restrictions on surveys are no longer valid,” Mr. Dilawar said.

In his statement on the aims and reasons of the bill, it was also stated that many people who have the ability to inspire and serve the public and have the vision to lead village panchayats do not get the opportunity to become panchayat members due to having more than two children. It was stated that the disqualification will be eliminated with the amendment made in the law.

Participating in the discussion on the bill, Congress MLA and Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra said that the State government decided to make the change “without a clear vision” and brought the change under pressure from some elected representatives.

“Has population control been achieved or has the Center changed its policy? The population is constantly increasing and there is little awareness about it in rural areas,” Mr. Dotasra said. He demanded that the state government explain the logic behind the removal of the two-child norm.

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Congress MLAs said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government, which has raised the slogan of ‘one State, one election’, is not willing to hold panchayat elections despite the Rajasthan High Court’s direction to hold them by April 15. Congress chief Rafik Khan said the delimitation of panchayats was done in violation of norms.

After the Governor approves the Amendment Bill, the child-related eligibility restriction for posts like ward panch, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, Zila Parishad member, Pradhan and Zila Pramukh will be removed. According to the rule, grassroots leaders who were previously disqualified will be able to participate in elections in villages.