Daily News Analysis

What is Article 25 of the Indian Constitution?

stylish_lining

Overview:

The Kerala High Court recently observed that the fundamental right under Article 25 of the Constitution to enter a temple for worship does not give the right to any member of the Hindu community to perform the role of Archakas (priests).

About Article 25 of Indian Constitution

Article 25 says that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. The implications of these are:

Freedom of conscience: Inner freedom of an individual to mould his relation with God or Creatures in whatever way he desires.

Right to profess: Declaration of one’s religious beliefs and faith openly and freely.

Right to practice: Performance of religious worship, rituals, ceremonies, and exhibition of beliefs and ideas.

Right to propagate: Transmission and dissemination of one’s religious beliefs to others or exposition of the tenets of one’s religion. But it does not include the right to convert another person to one’s own religion. Forcible conversions impinge on the ‘freedom of conscience’ guaranteed to all the persons alike.

Thus, Article 25 covers not only religious beliefs (doctrines) but also religious practices (rituals).

Moreover, these rights are available to all persons–citizens as well as non-citizens.

However, these rights are subject to public order, morality, health, and other provisions relating to fundamental rights.

Further, nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the State from making any law to

 

regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political, or other secular activity associated with religious practice;

provide for social welfare and reform, or throw open Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus;

Article 25 also contains two explanations: one, the wearing and carrying of kirpans is to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion; and two, the Hindus, in this context, include Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.

India’s Fiscal Federalism

India needs to ensure equitable fiscal federalism by strengthening states’ financial autonomy and restoring balance in tax devolution and grants. A healthy fiscal federal structure is essent
Share It

United Nations Secretary-General

The United Nations has officially launched the selection process for the next Secretary-General (SG), who will assume office in January 2027, after Antonio Guterres completes his second term on 31
Share It

Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025

The Chief Minister of Assam introduced the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025 in the Assam Legislative Assembly with the objective of criminalizing polygamy across the state. The Bill seeks
Share It

Ramban Sulai Honey

The Prime Minister, in the 128th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, highlighted Ramban Sulai Honey from Jammu and Kashmir, noting that it has gained wider national recognition after receiving
Share It

State of the World’s Children (SWOC) 2025 – UNICEF Report

The State of the World’s Children (SWOC) 2025, released by UNICEF, highlights the growing crisis of extreme child poverty and multidimensional deprivation, particularly affecting developing
Share It

Mughal Miniature Painting

A Mughal miniature painting titled “A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape”, attributed to the celebrated Mughal painter Basawan (c. 1575–80), has set a new world record at Ch
Share It

Formation Day

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman an
Share It

Sal Tree

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for c
Share It

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nucl
Share It

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in School Education

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the Na
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS