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Rajasthan Ministers Seek Return of Education Criteria for Local Poll Candidates

Next steps require the chief minister’s approval followed by Budget Session amendments to relevant local governance statutes.

Overview

  • Local Self Government minister Jhabbir Singh Kharra and Panchayati Raj minister Madan Dilwar have sent proposals to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
  • The plan would set at least secondary education for sarpanch posts and secondary or senior secondary for ward councillors.
  • Officials say illiterate individuals could be disqualified from contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body posts if the rules take effect.
  • Implementing the change would require amending the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act and the Rajasthan Municipalities or Municipal Corporations law in the upcoming Budget Session.
  • The initiative revives a 2015 policy introduced under Vasundhara Raje that was scrapped in 2019 after the Congress took office, with fresh consideration now ahead of 2026 local elections.