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Supreme Court revisits 2003 ruling on two-child norm for panchayat polls
खबर में क्यों?
Article 243F decides who can contest Panchayat polls: the two-child norm SC is now revisiting
SC to re-examine its 2003 verdict on the two-child norm in Panchayat elections.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 मिनट
The Supreme Court is revisiting its 2003 decision that upheld State laws disqualifying persons with more than two children from Panchayat posts.
Article 243F allows State legislatures to prescribe disqualifications for Panchayat membership.
स्रोत: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
मुख्य तथ्य
Remember these
- The Supreme Court is re-examining its 2003 verdict upholding State laws that disqualify persons with more than two children from Panchayat posts.
- The 2003 ruling is Javed v. State of Haryana, which upheld the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act's two-child norm.
- Article 243F empowers State legislatures to prescribe disqualifications for Panchayat membership.
- Article 243K deals with Panchayat elections and the State Election Commission; Article 243D deals with reservation of seats.
- Two-child norm for local bodies is a State-made rule, not a Union law, so it differs from State to State.
प्रीलिम्स · मेन्स
How the exam will ask it
प्रीलिम्स
- Statement: Disqualification of a person for Panchayat membership can be prescribed by State law under Article 243F of the Constitution.
- Statement: The two-child norm for Panchayat elections is laid down by Parliament uniformly for all States. (Incorrect: it is a State-level provision.)
- Statement: Article 243K provides for the State Election Commission to conduct Panchayat elections, while Article 243F deals with disqualifications.
मेन्स
GS2 (Polity, local government): the issue is whether State laws that bar persons with more than two children from Panchayat office are valid. Article 243F lets States prescribe disqualifications, and the 2003 ruling upheld such laws as a population-control measure, while critics cite concerns over equality, gender impact and the right to contest. The implication is a fresh test of the balance between State power and political rights; the way forward is incentive-based population policy and safeguards against disproportionate impact on women and the poor.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Disqualification of persons for membership of a Panchayat is provided for under which provision of the Constitution?
- Article 243A
- Article 243D
- Article 243F
- Article 243K
उत्तर देखें
उत्तर: C — Correct answer: Article 243F. Article 243F lets State laws set disqualifications for Panchayat membership, which is why two-child norms are State-made rules.
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