What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They will swap 'constitutional morality' with 'societal morality' or 'public morality' in options. They may also ask which case decriminalised homosexuality (Navtej Singh Johar) but provide other landmark case names as distractors.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 1948 (Year Ambedkar used 'constitutional morality' in Constituent Assembly) 2. Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court (9-Judge Bench) 3. Target this Legal Point: Article 25 of the Constitution (Freedom of Religion)

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News 14 of 25

SC 9-Judge Bench Hears Sabarimala Reference; Centre Argues Against 'Constitutional Morality' in Article 25 Review

Q: The Sabarimala Reference case is being heard by which judicial body?

Supreme Court of India, The article explicitly states that the arguments are before a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India. This is a constitutional court with the authority to interpret fundamental rights.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the arguments in the Sabarimala Reference case: 1. The Centre argues that courts can review a religious practice only if it has been translated into a statutory law. 2. The Centre supports the use of 'constitutional morality' as a standard to review restrictions under Article 25. 3. The Travancore Devaswom Board argues that the word 'morality' in Article 25 was intended by the framers to mean societal morality. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'The Centre says courts acquire jurisdiction to examine a religious practice only where it has been translated into law.' Statement 2 is incorrect because the Centre is attacking the doctrine of constitutional morality. Statement 3 is correct as the Board argued the framers placed 'morality' without qualification, implying societal standards.

Q: In which year did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar use the phrase 'constitutional morality' in the Constituent Assembly, as mentioned in the article?

1948, The article states: 'The phrase constitutional morality did not originate with recent judges: Ambedkar used it in the Constituent Assembly in 1948.' This is a precise factual detail from the source material.

Q: According to the article, what is a primary implication if the Centre's argument against 'constitutional morality' is accepted by the Supreme Court?

It would make religious practices automatically compliant with constitutional values if endorsed by the community., The article explains the Centre's framework: 'A practice that the community endorses satisfies the standard automatically.' This means societal morality becomes the benchmark, potentially insulating majoritarian religious practices from judicial review based on constitutional principles like equality and dignity.

Polity Social IssuesCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link

17 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:1948

Bodies:Supreme Court

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.A nine-judge Supreme Court bench is hearing the Sabarimala Reference case, where the Centre argues against judicial review of religious practices using 'constitutional morality'.

2.The Centre contends that Article 25's 'morality' refers to societal morality of the dominant community, not constitutional values like equality and dignity.

3.Examiners will focus on the doctrine of constitutional morality, its origin with Ambedkar, and landmark cases like Navtej Singh Johar that relied on it.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

The Supreme Court's nine-judge bench is hearing arguments that challenge the judiciary's power to review religious practices under the Constitution. The central government argues courts should not apply 'constitutional morality' to religion, but rather defer to 'societal morality'. This landmark case will define the balance between religious freedom and constitutional rights.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bench StrengthNine-Judge Bench

Key Constitutional ArticleArticle 25

Doctrine in FocusConstitutional Morality

Year of Ambedkar's Usage1948

1-Minute Revision

›Bench Strength: Nine-Judge Bench
›Key Constitutional Article: Article 25
›Target this Data: 1948 (Year Ambedkar used 'constitutional morality' in Constituent Assembly)
›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court (9-Judge Bench)
›Target this Legal Point: Article 25 of the Constitution (Freedom of Religion)

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Judicial Review Challenge

The Centre argues courts should not review religious practices for constitutional compliance unless they are codified into law.

🔍

Morality Debate

The case pivots on whether 'morality' in Article 25 means societal morality (community belief) or constitutional morality (Constitution's values).

🛡️

Protecting the Voiceless

The article counters that tools like constitutional morality and PILs have historically protected marginalized groups, as seen in cases like Bandhua Mukti Morcha.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Sabarimala Reference case revisits the 2018 verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple. The current nine-judge bench is addressing broader questions on the scope of judicial review of religious practices under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. This follows a series of petitions challenging religious customs that exclude women from places of worship.

Core Analysis & Implications

The Centre's arguments seek to fundamentally alter judicial doctrine. By advocating for 'societal morality' over 'constitutional morality', it aims to shield religious practices from scrutiny based on constitutional values like equality, liberty, and dignity. If accepted, this would overturn precedents like the Navtej Singh Johar judgment that decriminalised homosexuality using constitutional morality. It would also impact pending cases involving Muslim, Parsi, and Dawoodi Bohra women's rights, potentially leaving them without judicial remedy.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The Supreme Court's judgment will set a landmark precedent on the relationship between religious freedom and fundamental rights. It will determine whether courts can serve as a check against majoritarian religious practices that infringe on individual rights. The decision will influence not only the specific cases before the bench but also the future of judicial intervention in matters of faith and social reform across India.

Key Facts at a Glance

Bench StrengthNine-Judge Bench

Key Constitutional ArticleArticle 25

Doctrine in FocusConstitutional Morality

Year of Ambedkar's Usage1948

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Sabarimala Reference case is being heard by which judicial body?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the arguments in the Sabarimala Reference case:

1. The Centre argues that courts can review a religious practice only if it has been translated into a statutory law.

2. The Centre supports the use of 'constitutional morality' as a standard to review restrictions under Article 25.

3. The Travancore Devaswom Board argues that the word 'morality' in Article 25 was intended by the framers to mean societal morality.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

In which year did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar use the phrase 'constitutional morality' in the Constituent Assembly, as mentioned in the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

According to the article, what is a primary implication if the Centre's argument against 'constitutional morality' is accepted by the Supreme Court?

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SC 9-Judge Bench Hears Sabarimala Reference; Centre Argues Against 'Constitutional Morality' in Article 25 Review

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Judicial Review Challenge

Morality Debate

Protecting the Voiceless

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance