Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Orissa High Court Upholds 2-Child Norm for Panchayat Members
The Orissa High Court has decided that people with more than two children cannot be members of local village councils.
A man who had three children tried to keep his position, but the court said no because the rule was made after his third child was born.
The court also talked about how important it is to control the population to protect the environment and help the economy.
They said leaders should set a good example by following family planning rules.
The Orissa High Court upheld the disqualification of a gram panchayat member for having more than two children.
The court dismissed the appellant's argument that he should be protected under the proviso of the relevant provision.
The two-child norm amendment took effect on April 18, 1994, and the appellant had children after this date.
The court emphasized the importance of family planning and population control, citing constitutional and social reasons.
The Bench noted that elected representatives should set an example by adhering to family planning norms.
- Who
- Orissa High Court
- What
- Upholding the 2-child norm for panchayat members
- When
- Recent judgment, amendment effective April 18, 1994
- Where
- Orissa, India
- Why
- To promote family planning and population control
- Court
- Orissa High Court
- Act
- Odisha Grama Panchayats Act, 1964
- Section
- Section 25(1)(v)
- Amendment Date
- April 18, 1994
- Appellant's Children
- Third and fourth children born in 1993 and 1994
- Judges
- Justices Krishna Shripad Dixit and Chittaranjan Dash
- Constitutional Amendment
- 42nd Constitutional Amendment
- International Organizations
- UNFPA, WHO