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Supreme Court to Hear Sabarimala Reference Before 9‑Judge Constitution Bench from April 7, 2026

The Supreme Court will commence hearing the Sabarimala reference matter from April 7 before a nine-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The Supreme Court will commence hearing the Sabarimala reference matter from April 7 before a nine-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.Apart from the CJI, the Bench comprises Justice BV Nagarathna, Justice MM Sundresh, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Justice Aravind Kumar, Justice Augustine George Masih, Justice Prasanna B Varale, Justice R Mahadevan and...Next Story
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Overview

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Full Article

The Supreme Court will commence hearing the Sabarimala reference matter from April 7 before a nine-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.Apart from the CJI, the Bench comprises Justice BV Nagarathna, Justice MM Sundresh, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Justice Aravind Kumar, Justice Augustine George Masih, Justice Prasanna B Varale, Justice R Mahadevan and...Next Story
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SC nine‑judge bench to re‑examine religious freedom vs gender equality in Sabarimala case

Key Facts

  1. Hearing of the Sabarimala reference begins on 7 April 2026 before a 9‑judge Constitution Bench.
  2. Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant includes Justices BV Nagarathna, MM Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi.
  3. The reference expands the scope of Article 25 to test its interaction with equality, dignity and Article 26 (essential religious practices).
  4. Seven questions framed in Feb 2020 cover ‘morality’, judicial review of essential religious practices and the meaning of Article 26.
  5. Inter‑faith interventions: All India Muslim Personal Law Board and several Jain organisations have filed written submissions.
  6. Sep 2018: 4:1 SC majority struck down Rule 3(b) of Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship Rules 1965, allowing women of all ages entry.
  7. Feb 2023: Bench asked to consider validity of excommunication among Dawoodi Bohras, linking it to the broader Sabarimala review.

Background & Context

The Sabarimala reference sits at the confluence of constitutional law, religious freedom (Arts 25 & 26) and gender equality, core components of GS‑2 Polity. It tests the limits of judicial review over essential religious practices and the notion of constitutional morality, themes that recur in policy debates and future litigation.

UPSC Syllabus Connections

Essay•Philosophy, Ethics and Human ValuesPrelims_GS•Constitution and Political SystemGS2•Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structureGS4•Dimensions of ethics - private and public relationshipsEssay•Society, Gender and Social JusticeGS2•Executive and Judiciary - structure, organization and functioningPrelims_GS•Public Policy and Rights IssuesEssay•Youth, Health and WelfareGS4•Concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probityGS4•Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions

Mains Answer Angle

In a GS‑2 answer, candidates can discuss the balance between Articles 25/26 and gender‑justice jurisprudence, analysing how the Supreme Court’s verdict could reshape the doctrine of essential religious practices and state intervention.

Analysis

Practice Questions

GS2
Easy
Prelims MCQ

Fundamental Rights – Article 25

1 marks
3 keywords
GS2
Medium
Mains Short Answer

Judicial Review & Essential Religious Practices

10 marks
5 keywords
GS2
Hard
Mains Essay

Religion, Gender Equality and Constitutional Morality

25 marks
8 keywords
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Quick Reference

Key Insight

SC nine‑judge bench to re‑examine religious freedom vs gender equality in Sabarimala case

Key Facts

  1. Hearing of the Sabarimala reference begins on 7 April 2026 before a 9‑judge Constitution Bench.
  2. Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant includes Justices BV Nagarathna, MM Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi.
  3. The reference expands the scope of Article 25 to test its interaction with equality, dignity and Article 26 (essential religious practices).
  4. Seven questions framed in Feb 2020 cover ‘morality’, judicial review of essential religious practices and the meaning of Article 26.
  5. Inter‑faith interventions: All India Muslim Personal Law Board and several Jain organisations have filed written submissions.
  6. Sep 2018: 4:1 SC majority struck down Rule 3(b) of Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship Rules 1965, allowing women of all ages entry.
  7. Feb 2023: Bench asked to consider validity of excommunication among Dawoodi Bohras, linking it to the broader Sabarimala review.

Background

The Sabarimala reference sits at the confluence of constitutional law, religious freedom (Arts 25 & 26) and gender equality, core components of GS‑2 Polity. It tests the limits of judicial review over essential religious practices and the notion of constitutional morality, themes that recur in policy debates and future litigation.

UPSC Syllabus

  • Essay — Philosophy, Ethics and Human Values
  • Prelims_GS — Constitution and Political System
  • GS2 — Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
  • GS4 — Dimensions of ethics - private and public relationships
  • Essay — Society, Gender and Social Justice
  • GS2 — Executive and Judiciary - structure, organization and functioning
  • Prelims_GS — Public Policy and Rights Issues
  • Essay — Youth, Health and Welfare
  • GS4 — Concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probity
Explore:Current Affairs·Editorial Analysis·Govt Schemes·Study Materials·Previous Year Questions·UPSC GPT
  • GS4 — Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions
  • Mains Angle

    In a GS‑2 answer, candidates can discuss the balance between Articles 25/26 and gender‑justice jurisprudence, analysing how the Supreme Court’s verdict could reshape the doctrine of essential religious practices and state intervention.

    Supreme Court to Hear Sabarimala Reference... | UPSC Current Affairs

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