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SC 9-Judge Bench Examines Article 25-26 Interplay in Sabarimala Review, Highlights 'Lakshman Rekha' for Social Reform

PolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
12 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:September 28, 2018
Bodies:Supreme Court of India
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.A nine-judge Supreme Court bench is hearing review petitions against its 2018 Sabarimala judgment that struck down age restrictions for women's entry.

2.The core legal issue is the interplay between state power for social reform under Article 25(2)(b) and the rights of individuals (Article 25(1)) and religious denominations (Article 26).

3.The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, cautioned that social reform must not 'hollow out' religion and cannot be thrust upon people against their will.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court's nine-judge bench is deliberating a critical constitutional question: the limits of state-led social reform under Article 25(2)(b) versus the fundamental right to religion under Article 25(1) and Article 26. This hearing on petitions reviewing the 2018 Sabarimala judgment could redefine the 'lakshman rekha' for state intervention in religious practices, a key Polity concept for UPSC aspirants.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bench SizeNine-Judge Bench
Key Constitutional ArticlesArticle 25 & Article 26
Original Judgment DateSeptember 28, 2018
Chief JusticeCJI Surya Kant

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Bench Size: Nine-Judge Bench
  • ›Key Constitutional Articles: Article 25 & Article 26
  • ›Target this Data: The Sabarimala review involves a 'Nine-Judge Bench' (Not five or seven).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Supreme Court of India, specifically a Constitution Bench.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The precise interplay between Article 25(2)(b) (state power for social reform) and Article 25(1) (individual freedom) & Article 26 (denominational rights).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which part of the Constitution empowers the State to make laws for social reform and the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions to all classes?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court hearing on Sabarimala review petitions:

1. The nine-judge bench is examining the interplay between rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.

2. Article 25(2)(b) empowers the State to make laws for social reform, which, as per the Kerala government's counsel, is a trespass on religious rights.

3. The Chief Justice of India heading the bench is Justice Surya Kant.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

The Supreme Court's original judgment, which is under review, striking down age restrictions on women's entry to Sabarimala temple was delivered on which date?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the core concern expressed by Justice B V Nagarathna regarding the use of Article 25(2)(b) for social reform?

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