Rajasthan Cabinet Allows Candidates With More Than Two Children to Contest Panchayat Elections

Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a significant policy shift, the Bhajanlal Sharma-led cabinet of Rajasthan has decided to allow candidates with more than two children to contest local body and panchayat elections. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday and marks a reversal of a three-decade-old restriction imposed by the previous Bhairon Singh Shekhawat government.

Earlier, the Shekhawat administration had prohibited individuals with more than two children from contesting elections as part of population control measures. With the new amendment, the eligibility criteria for contesting elections have been broadened, providing more citizens the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Legal Amendments
The cabinet approved changes to Section 19 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act and Section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, which remove the two-child restriction. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel confirmed that the cabinet has sanctioned the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act 2026 and Rajasthan Municipalities Act 2026, and the government will soon introduce a bill formalizing these changes.

Other Key Decisions from the Cabinet Meeting

• New University in Ajmer: A Yoga and Natural Therapy University will be established to boost medical education and create opportunities in the health sector.
• Revenue Intelligence & Crime Directorate: A new directorate will monitor tax evasion, revenue fraud, irregularities in the stock market, fake employment, and land registration scams.
• Job Creation: The directorate will see the creation of 107 new positions, generating employment opportunities in the state.

Upcoming Panchayat Elections
The Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court have set a deadline for panchayat elections to be completed by 15 April 2026. According to reports, the State Election Commission is likely to announce the election dates by the second week of March, with preparations already underway.

This landmark decision by the Bhajanlal government is expected to widen political participation and reshape the electoral landscape in Rajasthan’s local governance.