Rajasthan
Rajasthan Scrap Two-Child Norm for Local Body Elections
- 07 Mar 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Rajasthan has overturned a nearly 30-year-old rule that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections, along with removing disqualification based on leprosy.
Key Points:
- Legislative Change: The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the state’s Panchayati Raj and municipal laws removing the two-child eligibility criterion and the leprosy-based disqualification for candidates in local body elections.
- The two-child policy was introduced in 1995 to promote population control by disqualifying individuals with more than two children from contesting panchayat and municipal elections.
- Removal of the Provision: The state government argued that the rule was discriminatory and ineffective in population control, and it prevented many capable citizens from participating in grassroots democracy.
- Leprosy-Based Disqualification: Earlier, people suffering from leprosy were barred from contesting elections.
- The amendment removes this restriction in line with modern medical understanding and anti-discrimination principles related to Leprosy.
- Alignment with Central Law: The change aligns with the spirit of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and public health reforms that discourage discrimination against people cured of or living with leprosy.
- Impact: The reform is expected to expand democratic participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies, enabling more citizens to contest elections regardless of family size or past disease status.
| Read More: Local body elections, Panchayati Raj, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 |
