Rajasthan considering reintroduction of educational criteria for panchayat, local body polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Rajasthan is considering reintroduction of a requirement for educational qualification for the candidates fighting the Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections to be held in 2026. The previous Congress government had waived the rule in 2019.

The provision for compulsory education for candidates was introduced in the State in 2015 during the tenure of the then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The Congress had strongly opposed the move and made it an issue during the 2018 Assembly election campaign.

Minister of State for Local Self Government Jhabar Singh Kharra said here on Thursday (December 25, 2025) that a proposal to implement educational qualifications for various positions has been sent to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. “We have received representations from several groups and political party workers, who feel that such a provision needs to be made again”, Mr. Kharra said.

According to the proposal, the candidates for the position of Sarpanch should have at least secondary grade education. For candidates contesting for the post of ward councillors, a minimum qualification of either secondary or senior secondary should be required.

Mr. Kharra said the implementation of educational qualifications would require amendments to the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009. The Amendment Bills would be tabled in the upcoming budget session of the State Assembly following an approval at the Chief Minister’s level, he said.

In 2015, a provision was made for having at least passed Class 8 for the Sarpanch’s post, though there was relaxation with passing Class 5 accepted for the Tribal Sub-Plan areas. The eligibility of passing Class 10 was set for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members as well as the ward councillors and urban local body heads.

The BJP had benefited from the new provision in the rural areas, with a higher number of the ruling party’s representatives having been elected as compared to the Opposition Congress at that time.