Supreme Court upholds Haryana panchayat law to educational qualification required to contest panchayat election

Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015 has been upheld by the Supreme Court of India.This act is with regard to the educational qualification required to contest panchayat election.

Supreme court verdict:
- Basic education would enable the candidates to effectively discharge duties of the panchayat.
- Education will empower the candidates to be able to handle urgent situations.
- This is relevant with regard to better administration.

Education Requirement
General category (male): Matriculate 
General Category woman: Class 8th pass
Scheduled caste (male): class 8th pass
Scheduled caste C(woman): 5th pass

Opposing statements
A petiton was filed in Supreme court against this act. Petitioner said that 84% of Dalit women while 71% women of rural women and 56% of males would be excluded from contesting the panchayat polls by this law, affecting fundamental rights of the candidates.