Telangana Assembly Abolishes Two-Child Norm for Local Polls

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed four Bills, including a key amendment to the Panchayat Raj law that removes the long-standing two-child norm for contesting local body elections. The move marks a significant policy shift reflecting changing demographic realities in the State.

End of the Two-Child Disqualification

The Assembly passed the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which abolishes the restriction that barred individuals with more than two children from contesting Panchayat Raj elections. Introducing the Bill, State Panchayat Raj Minister “Anasuya Seethakka” said the provision was originally introduced in 1994 amid concerns over rapid population growth, food security, employment, and poverty.

Changing Demographic Trends

The Minister highlighted that demographic conditions have changed significantly since the 1990s. She noted that the total fertility rate in rural Telangana has declined to 1.7 children per woman. Maintaining such a low fertility rate over time, she cautioned, could adversely impact the State’s demographic dividend and long-term workforce availability. The repeal aims to align electoral laws with current population dynamics.

Other Panchayat Raj Amendments

The House also passed the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026. This legislation renames ‘Jaintirumalapoor’ village in Wanaparthy mandal as ‘Jayanna Tirumalapur’, reflecting local sentiments and administrative updates within the Panchayat Raj framework.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Telangana has abolished the two-child norm for local body elections.
• The two-child restriction was introduced in 1994.
• Rural Telangana’s total fertility rate is 1.7.
• Panchayat Raj laws govern grassroots local self-government.

Public Service and Staffing Law Amendments

Two additional Bills were introduced by Deputy Chief Minister “Bhatti Vikramarka” and passed unanimously. These include the Telangana (Regulation of Appointments to Public Services and Rationalisation of Staff Pattern and Pay Structure) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and its second amendment. The Bills aim to streamline public service appointments and rationalise staffing and pay structures, reinforcing administrative reforms in the State.