The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has been approved by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. This bill eliminates the two-child norm for individuals contesting Panchayati Raj elections. Previously, candidates with more than two children were barred from running for these positions.
With this amendment to the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, there will be no child-related eligibility restrictions for roles like ward panch, sarpanch, panchayat samiti member, zila parishad member, pradhan, and district head. The two-child norm, in place for about 31 years, was initially introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
The bill’s passage in the Assembly marks the formal abolition of the two-child restriction for both Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. The removal of this provision is expected to broaden the candidate pool and enhance competition in Panchayati Raj elections.
State Minister Madan Dilawar highlighted that the government recognized the potential of many capable individuals who were unable to contest elections due to the two-child rule. As a result, the state government decided to eliminate this disqualification from Section 19 of the 1994 Act.
The bill will now proceed to the Governor for approval, following which a gazette notification will be issued to officially implement the new provision. This change is anticipated to impact political dynamics, local leadership, and competition in villages and districts across Rajasthan.
