At a glance
- At least 21 years old, and enrolled in the voter list of that Panchayati Raj institution.
- Having more than two children no longer disqualifies — removed by the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2026.
- No minimum educational qualification (removed in 2019).
- A functional toilet at home is required — this rule still applies.
- Deposit: ₹500 for sarpanch, PS and ZP member (₹250 for women, SC, ST, OBC); none for ward panch.
Basic eligibility
- Voter list: you must be enrolled in the voter list of the Panchayati Raj institution (gram panchayat, panchayat samiti or zila parishad) you are contesting (Section 19).
- Age: at least 21 years (proviso to Section 19(a)).
- Sarpanch: anyone qualified to be a panch can contest for sarpanch; the sarpanch is elected by the voters of the whole panchayat (Section 26(1)).
- You cannot contest from more than one ward, nor for panch while contesting for sarpanch (Section 19B); you cannot be a member of two PRIs at once (Section 20).
More than two children — rule removed
Since 1995, clause (l) of Section 19 barred anyone with more than two children (counting births after 27 Nov 1995) from panchayat polls. The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2026 (Act No. 6 of 2026) deleted that clause, the related proviso (iv) and Explanation-I. Governor's assent: 24 Mar 2026; gazette notification: 25 Mar 2026; in force at once.
The State Election Commission's letter no. 4795 of 13 Jul 2026 informed all district election officers that the children-related provisions have been removed for Panchayati Raj elections.
If a nomination form still shows an old column about children, ask the Returning Officer — this disqualification is no longer in the law.
Education and toilet
Education: the educational qualification added in 2015 (clauses (r), (s), (t) of Section 19) was deleted by notification of 22 Feb 2019, and current law requires no minimum schooling. The nomination affidavit asks you to state your education — a declaration, not a condition.
Toilet: under Section 19(q), a person is disqualified if there is no functional sanitary toilet at home and any family member defecates in the open. “Sanitary toilet” means a water-sealed toilet enclosed by three walls, a door and a roof; “family” means spouse, children and parents living with the person. Added by a 2014 ordinance and untouched by the 2026 amendment; an undertaking is filed with the nomination.
Disqualifications (Section 19)
| Ground | Section |
|---|---|
| Disqualified by law for the State Legislature (except age) — e.g. an office of profit under government | 19(a) |
| Guilty of corrupt practice in an election petition — for 6 years from the order | 19(aa) |
| Salaried whole- or part-time job under a local authority, university, or a State-controlled/financed corporation, body, enterprise or co-operative | 19(b) |
| Dismissed from State Government service for moral turpitude — for 6 years | 19(c) |
| A salaried post or office of profit under any PRI | 19(d) |
| Share or interest in a contract with that PRI | 19(e) |
| A bodily or mental defect or disease making the person incapable of work | 19(f) |
| Convicted and sentenced to 6 months or more — for 6 years from conviction | 19(g) |
| Charges framed by a court for an offence punishable with 5 years or more | 19(gg) |
| Ineligible under Section 38 | 19(h) |
| PRI tax/fee unpaid 2 months after a demand notice (not disqualified if paid before nomination) | 19(i) |
| Legal practitioner for or against that PRI | 19(j) |
| Convicted under the Mrityu Bhoj Prevention Act 1960 — for 6 years | 19(k) |
| Former chairperson/deputy with unpaid PRI dues on the defaulters' list (not disqualified if paid before nomination) | 19(m) |
| Not belonging to the category (SC/ST/OBC) or not a woman, for a reserved seat | 19(n), (o), (p) |
| No functional toilet at home and a family member defecates in the open | 19(q) |
Source: Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act 1994, Section 19 and provisos (SEC election law manual 2026) — with the 2026 amendment
Who can contest a reserved seat
- Only a person of that category can contest a seat reserved for SC/ST/OBC, and only a woman a seat reserved for women.
- A reserved-seat candidate must attach a caste certificate issued by the Collector or an officer authorised by the State Government (Rule 25(1)).
- SC, ST and OBC candidates can also contest a general (unreserved) seat.
- No male candidate can contest a ward reserved for women.
Nomination: deposit, spending limit and documents
| Post | Security deposit | Spending limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ward panch | None | — |
| Sarpanch | ₹500 (women/SC/ST/OBC: ₹250) | ₹1,00,000 |
| Panchayat samiti member | ₹500 (women/SC/ST/OBC: ₹250) | ₹1,50,000 |
| Zila parishad member | ₹500 (women/SC/ST/OBC: ₹250) | ₹3,00,000 |
Deposit: SEC order 753 (20.01.2026) — forfeited if a losing candidate gets less than one-sixth of valid votes. Spending limit: SEC order 5052 (23.12.2025), Section 22A; accounts are due within 15 days of the result.
- Panch/sarpanch: nomination paper (Form 4) and the declaration of criminal cases, assets and liabilities (Form 4-D).
- Panchayat samiti/zila parishad member: Form 4-A and Form 4-D.
- Affidavit on ₹50 non-judicial stamp paper, toilet undertaking, caste certificate for a reserved seat and the deposit receipt.
- PS/ZP: 1 proposer for a recognised party's candidate (party letter by 3 PM on the last nomination day), 5 proposers for others.
- At most 5 people, including the candidate, in the Returning Officer's room while filing.
Frequently asked questions
What education is needed to become a sarpanch?
None. The educational qualification added in 2015 was removed in February 2019; current law sets no minimum.
Can someone with more than two children contest for sarpanch?
Yes. The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2026 removed the children disqualification from Section 19 (gazette notification 25 Mar 2026); the SEC informed officers on 13 Jul 2026.
What is the minimum age to contest for sarpanch?
21 years — for panch, sarpanch, panchayat samiti and zila parishad member alike.
What is the deposit for the sarpanch election?
₹500 for general candidates and ₹250 for women, SC, ST and OBC candidates (SEC order, 20 Jan 2026). No deposit for ward panch.
How much can a sarpanch candidate spend?
Up to ₹1,00,000. Panchayat samiti member ₹1,50,000 and zila parishad member ₹3,00,000 (SEC order, 23 Dec 2025).
Can a government employee contest a panchayat election?
Generally not while in service — an office of profit under government disqualifies for the Legislature and so, via Section 19(a), for panchayats; and a salaried job under a local authority, university or State-controlled corporation/co-operative is a disqualification under Section 19(b).
Can an OBC or SC person contest a general seat?
Yes. Under Rule 25(1), SC, ST and OBC candidates may contest a general ward/seat.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official documents
- SEC letter 4795 (13.07.2026) with the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2026 gazette (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC — Manual of Panchayati Raj Election Law 2026 (Act & Rules) (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC order 753 (20.01.2026) — security deposit (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC order 5052 (23.12.2025) — election spending limits (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC letter 8918 (16.09.2026) — vehicle and person limits at nomination (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
- SEC — candidate forms (sec.rajasthan.gov.in)
General information, not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with the State Election Commission / Returning Officer before filing a nomination or any official use. Disclaimer