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| What is Article 25 of Indian constitution |
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution deals with
the "Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and
propagation of religion".
Here’s the breakdown:
Article 25 guarantees to all persons (citizens and
non-citizens) the following rights:
- Freedom
of conscience — the right to hold and change personal beliefs
freely.
- Freedom
to profess — to declare openly one’s faith.
- Freedom
to practice — to perform religious rituals and ceremonies.
- Freedom
to propagate — to spread one’s religion to others.
Reasonable Restrictions
These freedoms are not absolute; they are subject to:
1. Public
order — The State can limit religious activities that cause public
disorder.
2. Morality —
Practices that are immoral can be restricted.
3. Health —
Religious practices harmful to public health may be curtailed.
4. Other
fundamental rights — One’s religious freedom cannot violate others’
rights.
State’s Power to Regulate
Article 25(2) allows the State to:
- Regulate
or restrict any economic, financial, political, or secular
activity associated with religion.
- Make
laws for social welfare and reform, even if it affects religious
practices (e.g., abolishing untouchability, temple entry laws).
- Open
Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and
sections of Hindus.
Applicability
- Applies
to all persons — citizens and foreigners in India.
- Covers
theistic as well as atheistic beliefs under “freedom of
conscience.”
Landmark Judgments
1. Commissioner,
Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras v. Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Shirur
Mutt (1954)
o Defined
what constitutes an “essential religious practice.”
2. Rev.
Stainislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977)
o Clarified
that “propagate” does not mean the right to forcibly convert others.
3. S.R. Bommai
v. Union of India (1994)
o Declared
secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution.
Example
- You
can wear religious attire like a turban or hijab as part of practicing
your faith, unless it violates dress codes for safety, public order, or
institutional rules.
- The
State can ban practices like sati or animal sacrifice in public
for reasons of morality and health.
MCQs on Article 25 – Freedom of Religion
Article 25 of the Indian
Constitution guarantees:
A) Freedom of conscience
B) Freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion
C) Freedom to form religious institutions
D) Both A and B
Answer: D
Explanation: Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and the right
to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
Article 25 applies to:
A) Only Indian citizens
B) All persons in India
C) Only religious leaders
D) Only Hindus, Muslims, and Christians
Answer: B
Explanation: It applies to all persons, including foreign nationals
residing in India.
Which of the following is not
a ground for restricting rights under Article 25?
A) Public order
B) Morality
C) National security
D) Health
Answer: C
Explanation: National security is not specifically mentioned in Article
25; the grounds are public order, morality, health, and other fundamental
rights.
The term “propagate” in Article 25
means:
A) Forcing others to convert
B) Persuading others through discussion
C) Offering incentives for conversion
D) None of the above
Answer: B
Explanation: As per Rev. Stainislaus v. State of M.P.,
propagation means to spread or explain one’s religion but not to forcibly
convert.
Which case defined “essential
religious practices”?
A) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
B) Shirur Mutt case
C) S.R. Bommai case
D) Bijoe Emmanuel case
Answer: B
Explanation: In Shirur Mutt (1954), the Supreme Court defined
essential religious practices as those integral to a religion’s faith.
Under Article 25(2), the State can:
A) Restrict secular activities related to religion
B) Reform and regulate social welfare practices
C) Open Hindu temples to all castes
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Article 25(2) empowers the State in all these areas for
social reform and secular regulation.
Which of the following practices
can be banned under Article 25 for reasons of morality?
A) Wearing religious symbols
B) Temple entry for women
C) Sati
D) Observing fasts
Answer: C
Explanation: Practices like sati, being immoral and dangerous, can be
restricted despite being claimed as religious customs.
Which case held that secularism is
a basic feature of the Constitution?
A) Shirur Mutt case
B) Rev. Stainislaus case
C) S.R. Bommai case
D) Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain
Answer: C
Explanation: In S.R. Bommai (1994), the Supreme Court declared
secularism a basic feature of the Constitution.
Freedom of conscience under Article
25 covers:
A) Atheistic beliefs
B) Theistic beliefs
C) Both A and B
D) Only theistic beliefs
Answer: C
Explanation: It protects the right to hold both religious and
non-religious (atheistic) beliefs.
Which of these is an example of
permissible State regulation under Article 25(2)?
A) Banning animal sacrifice in public places
B) Restricting prayers in private homes
C) Prohibiting private religious gatherings
D) Forcing attendance at religious services
Answer: A
Explanation: The State can regulate practices harmful to public health,
order, or morality.
Which Article ensures equality of
all religions in India, complementing Article 25?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 27
D) Article 28
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 14 ensures equality before law and equal protection
of laws, applicable to all religions.
The right to “profess” under
Article 25 means:
A) To adopt any religion
B) To declare openly one’s beliefs
C) To convert others by force
D) To keep religion secret
Answer: B
Explanation: “Profess” means to openly declare and affirm one’s faith.
Under Article 25, the State may
open Hindu temples to:
A) Hindus only
B) All classes and sections of Hindus
C) Only higher castes
D) Non-Hindus only
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 25(2)(b) allows State laws to open public Hindu
temples to all Hindu sections, regardless of caste.
Which of the following is an
example of “practice” under Article 25?
A) Believing in God
B) Attending a religious festival
C) Wearing religious attire
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Explanation: “Practice” includes performing acts like ceremonies,
rituals, and dress codes linked to religion.
Which High Court held that animal
sacrifice in public can be banned for public order?
A) Kerala High Court
B) Himachal Pradesh High Court
C) Madras High Court
D) Bombay High Court
Answer: B
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh HC upheld the ban on public animal
sacrifices for public order and morality reasons.
The phrase “subject to public
order, morality and health” appears in:
A) Article 14
B) Article 19
C) Article 25
D) Article 32
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 25(1) explicitly limits religious freedom by these
conditions.
Can a non-citizen claim rights
under Article 25?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only if residing for more than 5 years
D) Only if married to an Indian citizen
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 25 applies to all persons, not just citizens.
Which of the following is NOT
regulated under Article 25(2)(a)?
A) Economic activities of religious bodies
B) Political activities of religious groups
C) Secular activities linked to religion
D) Religious rituals themselves
Answer: D
Explanation: The State cannot regulate essential religious rituals
directly, but it can regulate secular activities linked to religion.
The essential religious practices
test was first evolved in:
A) Shirur Mutt case
B) Kesavananda Bharati case
C) S.R. Bommai case
D) Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum
Answer: A
Explanation: The 1954 Shirur Mutt case evolved this test.
Which of these is an example of
State reform allowed under Article 25(2)(b)?
A) Abolition of untouchability
B) Opening temples to all castes
C) Allowing women into all shrines
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All are examples of social reform permissible under Article
25(2)(b).
Which Article prohibits religious
instruction in certain educational institutions, complementing Article 25?
A) Article 27
B) Article 28
C) Article 29
D) Article 30
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 28 prohibits religious instruction in institutions
wholly funded by the State.
Wearing a turban by Sikhs is
protected under:
A) Article 19
B) Article 21
C) Article 25
D) Article 26
Answer: C
Explanation: Wearing a turban is part of practicing Sikh faith,
protected under Article 25.
Which of the following can restrict
a religious procession under Article 25?
A) Public order concerns
B) Political disagreement
C) Weather conditions
D) Economic downturn
Answer: A
Explanation: Religious freedom can be restricted for maintaining public
order.
Which Article prohibits compelling
payment of taxes for promoting a particular religion?
A) Article 26
B) Article 27
C) Article 28
D) Article 29
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 27 bars taxation for promoting a specific religion.
“Freedom of conscience” means:
A) Right to change one’s religion
B) Right to hold religious or non-religious beliefs freely
C) Right to force one’s beliefs on others
D) Right to pray in public
Answer: B
Explanation: It is the inner freedom to believe or not believe in any
faith.
In Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of
Kerala (1986), Article 25 protected:
A) Wearing religious attire in schools
B) Refusal to sing the national anthem due to religious beliefs
C) Conversion by persuasion
D) Temple entry rights
Answer: B
Explanation: Jehovah’s Witness children were protected for silently
standing during the anthem due to faith-based objections.
The term “person” in Article 25
includes:
A) Only individuals
B) Individuals and religious organizations
C) Citizens only
D) The President of India only
Answer: B
Explanation: It covers all persons including groups and organizations.
Can the State ban a religious
practice harmful to health?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only with Parliament’s approval
D) Only with Supreme Court’s order
Answer: A
Explanation: Practices harmful to health can be restricted under Article
25.
The Rev. Stainislaus case
was decided in:
A) 1954
B) 1972
C) 1977
D) 1986
Answer: C
Explanation: It was a 1977 judgment clarifying the meaning of
“propagate.”
Article 25 allows laws regulating:
A) Religious rituals
B) Essential practices only
C) Economic and secular activities associated with religion
D) None of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: It explicitly mentions regulation of economic, financial,
political, or secular activities linked to religion.
Can the government stop a festival
involving dangerous firecrackers for public health reasons?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only if Supreme Court permits
D) Only if President approves
Answer: A
Explanation: Public health is a valid ground to restrict practices under
Article 25.
Which constitutional value is
reinforced by Article 25?
A) Secularism
B) Socialism
C) Federalism
D) Liberty of expression
Answer: A
Explanation: It ensures equal treatment of all religions, a key aspect
of secularism.
Which practice was banned by the
State citing morality despite religious justification?
A) Triple Talaq
B) Sati
C) Polygamy
D) Dowry
Answer: B
Explanation: Sati was banned despite some claims of religious sanction.
Who can make laws regulating
religious institutions’ economic activities?
A) Only Parliament
B) Only State Legislatures
C) Both Parliament and State Legislatures
D) Only Judiciary
Answer: C
Explanation: Both Parliament and State Legislatures have powers here.
Which practice was upheld as
essential to Sikh religion in 2008 by the SC?
A) Carrying kirpans
B) Animal sacrifice
C) Wearing orange robes
D) Barefoot entry into temples
Answer: A
Explanation: The right of Sikhs to carry kirpans was recognized as an
essential religious practice.
Which Article gives religious
denominations rights over their affairs, complementing Article 25?
A) Article 26
B) Article 27
C) Article 28
D) Article 29
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 26 grants rights to manage religious affairs
subject to public order, morality, and health.
Does Article 25 protect illegal
activities in the name of religion?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only if practiced for over 100 years
D) Only if harmless
Answer: B
Explanation: No illegal or harmful activity is protected.
Which state law banned public
animal sacrifice in Himachal Pradesh?
A) Himachal Pradesh Religious Freedom Act
B) Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Animal Sacrifice Act, 2013
C) Himachal Pradesh Temples Act
D) Himachal Pradesh Public Order Act
Answer: B
Explanation: This Act was upheld under Article 25 restrictions.
Which Article is most directly
related to cultural and educational rights but linked to religion?
A) Article 29
B) Article 30
C) Both A and B
D) Article 31
Answer: C
Explanation: Articles 29 & 30 deal with rights of minorities,
including religious minorities.
Can the State fund a pilgrimage for
a particular religion under Article 25?
A) Yes, without restriction
B) No, as it violates secularism
C) Yes, if Parliament passes a law
D) Yes, if done for all religions equally
Answer: D
Explanation: Equal treatment to all religions can allow such funding.
Which festival-related noise ban
was upheld citing health concerns?
A) Diwali firecrackers
B) Ganesh Visarjan loudspeakers
C) Holi DJ events
D) Eid animal markets
Answer: B
Explanation: Loudspeaker bans at night during Ganesh Visarjan were
upheld under Article 25 restrictions.
Who decides if a practice is
“essential” to religion?
A) Parliament
B) Religious leaders
C) Judiciary
D) Executive
Answer: C
Explanation: Courts decide based on evidence and precedents.
In Hadiya case (2018),
Article 25 was invoked to protect:
A) Right to marry and convert to another religion
B) Right to wear hijab in schools
C) Right to animal sacrifice
D) Right to change caste
Answer: A
Explanation: SC upheld Hadiya’s right to marry and convert under
personal liberty and freedom of religion.
Which of the following can be
regulated as a secular activity?
A) Temple accounting
B) Performing prayers
C) Celebrating Diwali
D) Baptism ceremony
Answer: A
Explanation: Economic management of temples is a secular activity.
The 42nd Amendment (1976)
reinforced Article 25’s spirit by adding which word to the Preamble?
A) Socialist
B) Secular
C) Integrity
D) Equality
Answer: B
Explanation: “Secular” was added to the Preamble in 1976.
Which Article complements Article
25 by prohibiting discrimination in access to religious institutions?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15(2)
C) Article 17
D) Article 19
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 15(2) ensures no discrimination in access to public
places including religious sites.
Is conversion by persuasion allowed
under Article 25?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in private
D) Only with State permission
Answer: A
Explanation: Persuasion and discussion are allowed, but force and fraud
are not.
Which of the following is NOT
protected under Article 25?
A) Wearing a cross pendant
B) Human sacrifice
C) Reciting religious prayers
D) Observing fasting rituals
Answer: B
Explanation: Harmful or illegal practices like human sacrifice are not
protected.
In Indian Young Lawyers
Association v. State of Kerala (2018), Article 25 was applied to:
A) Ban triple talaq
B) Allow women entry into Sabarimala temple
C) Stop Jallikattu
D) Ban child marriage
Answer: B
Explanation: The SC held that exclusion of women violated Article 25 and
equality rights.
Which part of the Constitution
contains Article 25?
A) Part II
B) Part III
C) Part IV
D) Part IVA
Answer: B
Explanation: It is part of Part III — Fundamental Rights.
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