Rajasthan Assembly Passes Bill to Scrap Two-Child Norm for Panchayat Elections

The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, removing the long-standing two-child norm that previously barred individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections in the state.

The Bill was passed after a heated and acrimonious debate between the ruling party and Opposition members. Lawmakers from the Indian National Congress strongly questioned the government’s decision to reverse a policy that had been in place for nearly three decades.

End of a Three-Decade Rule

The two-child norm was introduced in the mid-1990s under the state’s Panchayati Raj law as part of efforts to encourage population control. Under the rule, individuals with more than two children were disqualified from contesting elections to panchayats, including positions such as sarpanch and ward members.

With the passage of the amendment, this restriction has now been removed, allowing individuals with more than two children to contest panchayat elections in Rajasthan.

Government’s Stand

The state government argued that the rule was discriminatory and prevented many capable individuals from participating in grassroots democracy. Ministers supporting the amendment said the restriction unfairly targeted certain communities and deprived citizens of their constitutional right to contest elections.

According to the government, local governance should be inclusive and allow broader participation from all sections of society.

Opposition Raises Concerns

However, Opposition Congress legislators criticized the move, questioning the rationale behind scrapping the rule after it had been in force for around 30 years. They argued that the two-child norm was introduced to promote responsible family planning and population control.

Opposition members also expressed concerns that removing the restriction might send the wrong message regarding population management policies.

Heated Debate in the House

The debate in the Assembly reportedly became intense, with lawmakers from both sides presenting strong arguments. While the Opposition demanded a detailed explanation for reversing the earlier decision, the ruling party maintained that the amendment was necessary to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in local governance.

Impact on Local Elections

With the amendment now passed, the eligibility criteria for contesting panchayat elections in Rajasthan will change significantly. Political observers believe the move could expand the pool of candidates in rural local body elections and alter the dynamics of grassroots politics in the state.

The Bill will come into effect after receiving the required formal approvals, paving the way for the revised rules to apply in future panchayat elections across Rajasthan.