Universal Coaching Centre -

Enter your keyword

8053+ OFFICERS SERVING THE NATION UNIVERSAL COACHING CENTRE Let's join hands together in bringing Your Name in Elite officers list. JOIN US 25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE MEET NEW FRIENDS AND STUDY WITH EXPERTS JOIN US Nothing is better than having friends study together. Each student can learn from others through by teamwork building and playing interesting games. Following instruction of experts, you and friends will gain best scores.

ULP Click here! Click here! Classroom Programme NRA-CET Test Series
Click here ! Org code: XSHWV

post

Rajasthan Removes Two-Child Norm for Panchayat Elections

Why in News ?

The Rajasthan Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, removing the two-child norm that earlier disqualified individuals with more than two children from contesting panchayat elections, triggering political debate over population policy, gender equality, and local governance. This move represents one of the significant gender equality milestones in ensuring equal access to democratic participation.

Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill, 2026:

  • The Rajasthan Assembly passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, abolishing the two-child eligibility rule for contesting Panchayati Raj elections, ensuring equal rights and removing discriminatory laws that created structural barriers to political participation.

  • The amendment modifies Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, eliminating the provision that disqualified candidates with more than two children, thereby promoting access to justice and equal justice in electoral processes.

  • The rule had been introduced in 1995 during the government of Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as part of a population control initiative. Notably, discussions around such reforms often gain momentum around International Women’s Day (8 March), when women’s rights and gender equality issues receive heightened attention globally.

  • The restriction applied to candidates contesting elections in both Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), disproportionately affecting a woman‘s ability to participate in governance due to traditional family structures.

  • The Bill was passed in the Assembly through a voice vote after a heated debate between the ruling party and the opposition, with advocates emphasizing the need for legal protection against such exclusionary policies.

Government’s Rationale and Political Debate

  • The State government argued that the two-child norm is now outdated due to a decline in fertility rates, and that removing such discriminatory laws aligns with broader gender equality objectives celebrated annually on 8 March during IWD (International Women’s Day).

  • Rajasthan’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has reportedly dropped from around 3.6 during the early 1990s to nearly 2.0 today.

  • According to the government, improved family planning awareness, women’s literacy, healthcare access, and social change have contributed to this decline. Progress in addressing issues like the gender pay gap, gender-based violence, and intimate partner violence has also played a role in empowering women to make informed reproductive choices.

  • Officials also stated that the restriction prevented capable individuals from participating in grassroots governance simply because they had more than two children, creating structural barriers that undermined equal access to political representation.

  • However, the Opposition Congress party criticised the move, questioning the policy rationale and linking it to delays in conducting panchayat elections in the State, while acknowledging that the reform does advance women’s rights and removes barriers to access to justice.

About Panchayati Raj System in India:

●  Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Local self-government bodies established under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to strengthen decentralised governance in rural areas, promoting equal rights and gender equality through mandatory women’s reservation.

●  Three-Tier Structure: Comprises Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level), ensuring equal access to governance at multiple levels.

●  State Powers: States have authority to frame eligibility rules and election conditions for local body representatives, though such rules must not create discriminatory laws or undermine legal protection of fundamental rights.

●  Population Norm Policies: Several States earlier introduced two-child norms to promote population control through electoral disqualification, often without considering the impact on women’s rights and access to justice.

●  Debate: Such norms have faced criticism for violating democratic participation, gender justice, and personal rights, leading some States to reconsider or repeal them. Advocates, particularly around Women’s Day (March 8) and throughout the year, emphasize that true gender equality milestones require removing structural barriers and ensuring equal justice for all citizens regardless of family size.