Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Rajasthan to Revoke Two-Child Norm for Local Polls After Three Decades
Imagine a rule that says if you have more than two kids, you can't run for local government jobs in Rajasthan, India.
This rule was put in place many years ago to help control how many people lived there.
But now, the government thinks it's time to get rid of that rule.
Many people in the countryside have asked for this change, and the government also changed a similar rule for people who work for the government.
Some people worry that this change might make it harder for women to decide how many kids they want, as they might feel pressured to have more.
The rule has been in place for almost 30 years.
The upcoming local elections might see candidates with more than two children being allowed to participate.
Rajasthan government plans to repeal the two-child norm for contesting local body elections via an ordinance.
The norm, in place since 1995, disqualifies individuals with more than two children from running for panchayat and municipal posts.
The amendment is expected before the next local polls, responding to demands and aligning with relaxed employee rules.
Rights activists express concern that the move could increase pressure on women in rural areas to have more children.
The opposition Congress has not objected, acknowledging potential benefits for its rural leaders.
- Who
- The Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan
- What
- Is set to revoke the two-child norm that disqualifies individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections.
- When
- The amendment is likely to come into effect before the upcoming local polls; the policy was introduced on November 27, 1995.
- Where
- Rajasthan, India
- Why
- To address demands from rural areas and align with relaxations in similar rules for government employees.
Government Rationale
Concerns Raised by Rights Activists
Policy Justification
Government Rationale
The two-child norm was introduced in 1995 primarily for population control and family planning, especially in rural areas where larger families were common. The current government aims to relax the rule due to existing demands and relaxations in similar rules for government employees, arguing that public representatives also deserve it.
Concerns Raised by Rights Activists
Rights activists argue that while the initial intention might have been family planning, the decision on family size was often not the woman's. They fear that revoking the norm could increase pressure on women in rural areas to have more children, and suggest the move might be influenced by broader Hindu population growth encouragement.
Impact on Women
Government Rationale
The government acknowledges past relaxations for employees and sees parity as fair for public representatives, whose terms are limited.
Concerns Raised by Rights Activists
Activists express concern that the relaxation, particularly in rural areas, could reinforce patriarchal decision-making regarding family size, placing more burden on women.
Political Stance
Government Rationale
The BJP government is initiating the change, aligning with demands from within the state and Assembly discussions.
Concerns Raised by Rights Activists
The opposition Congress, with some MLAs supporting the repeal, has not objected, recognizing potential benefits for their own rural leaders. However, they question the BJP's decision to backtrack on a policy it previously implemented.
- Policy Introduced
- November 27, 1995
- Governing Acts Amended
- Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009
- Disqualifying Clause
- Having more than two children
- Exemption Clause
- Third child born before November 27, 1995
- Current Government
- Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government
- Reason for Revocation
- Demands from rural areas, relaxation of similar rules for government employees