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Chhattisgarh HC Upholds Gayatri Mantra in Schools: Moral Instruction Not Banned Under Article 28(1)

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
08 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Article 28(1)Government order dated 12.6.2026Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad
Bodies:Chhattisgarh High CourtChhattisgarh State Education Department
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What This Article Covers

1.Chhattisgarh HC rejected petition against mandatory Gayatri Mantra recitation in schools, stating no coercion or violation of fundamental rights.

2.Court distinguished 'moral instruction' from 'religious instruction' under Article 28(1), allowing state to promote Indian Knowledge Systems (NEP 2020).

3.Petitioners cited Articles 14, 21, 25, 28, 29, and 30; court found no injury or infringement of rights.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Chhattisgarh High Court dismissed a petition challenging the mandatory recitation of Gayatri Mantra in state-funded schools, ruling that the order does not violate Article 28(1) as it involves moral instruction 'disassociated from denominational doctrines.' This clarifies the constitutional boundary between permissible moral education and prohibited religious instruction in government schools.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Key Constitutional ArticleArticle 28(1)
Government Order Date12.6.2026
Judgment DateJuly 2026 (approx)
Petitioner's ArgumentViolation of Articles 14, 21, 25, 28, 29, 30
State's DefenseAligned with NEP 2020 & Indian Knowledge Systems
JudgeJustice Amitendra Kishore Prasad

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Key Constitutional Article: Article 28(1)
  • ›Government Order Date: 12.6.2026
  • ›Target this Data: Government order dated 12.6.2026; High Court judgment in July 2026
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Chhattisgarh High Court; Chhattisgarh State Education Department
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 28(1) – prohibition of religious instruction in state-funded schools; distinction between moral and religious instruction

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which article of the Constitution prohibits religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained out of State funds?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Chhattisgarh High Court judgment on Gayatri Mantra recitation in schools:

1. The court held that the government order violates Article 28(1) because it amounts to religious instruction.

2. The court distinguished moral instruction from religious instruction and allowed the former.

3. The state argued that the order aligns with the National Education Policy 2020's Indian Knowledge Systems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

On which date was the government order issued by the Chhattisgarh education department making Gayatri Mantra recitation mandatory in morning assemblies?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary legal reasoning of the Chhattisgarh High Court for dismissing the petition against Gayatri Mantra recitation?

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