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Kerala Govt Seeks 'Wider Consultation' on Sabarimala Women's Entry Before 9-Judge SC Bench Hearing on April 7, 2026

PolitySocial IssuesHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
14 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:April 7, 2026September 28, 20189-judge benchArticle 25Article 26
Bodies:Supreme Court
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What This Article Covers

1.Kerala's Left Democratic Government calls for wide consultation with Hindu religious scholars before any change to the Sabarimala religious practice.

2.The state's written submission to the Supreme Court argues judicial review under Article 25 should assess if a belief is genuinely held, not if it appeals to reason.

3.The Supreme Court has framed 7 constitutional questions for a 9-judge bench, with hearings set to commence on April 7, 2026.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Kerala government has revised its position on the Sabarimala temple entry case, shifting from a stance against restrictions to advocating for wide consultations with religious scholars before judicial review. This development is crucial for aspirants as it touches upon the interplay of Articles 25 & 26 with other fundamental rights, a core area for UPSC Polity questions, and a 9-judge Constitution Bench will hear the matter starting April 7, 2026.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Judicial Bench9-judge Constitution Bench
Hearing Start DateApril 7, 2026
Key ArticlesArticles 25 & 26 of Constitution
Original SC JudgmentSeptember 28, 2018
State GovernmentKerala (Left Democratic Government)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Judicial Bench: 9-judge Constitution Bench
  • ›Hearing Start Date: April 7, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: Hearing start date - April 7, 2026
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: 9-judge Constitution Bench of Supreme Court
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Articles 25 & 26 of the Constitution and the 7 questions framed

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The 9-judge Constitution Bench hearing the Sabarimala reference is part of which institution?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Sabarimala case developments:

1. The Kerala government, in its latest submission, has called for wide consultation with religious scholars before any judicial review of the temple practice.

2. The Supreme Court's original judgment allowing women's entry was delivered by a 7-judge bench in 2017.

3. The Supreme Court has framed seven questions on the interplay of religious freedom with other rights for the 9-judge bench to answer.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

On which date is the 9-judge Constitution Bench scheduled to commence hearings on the Sabarimala reference, as per the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the core constitutional principle the Kerala government's submission emphasizes for judicial review under Article 25, according to the article?

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