Sabarimala Review 2026: 9-Judge Bench to Revisit “Essential Religious Practices” and Gender Equality (Hearings from April 7)
The Supreme Court has fixed 7 April 2026 as the start date for hearings before a nine-judge Constitution Bench in the long-pending Sabarimala review/reference matters. The Bench will address broader constitutional questions—especially the scope of the “essential religious practices” (ERP) doctrine and how it should be balanced against equality and individual rights in disputes over religious entry and practices.
What is being heard (and why it’s bigger than Sabarimala)
The proceedings involve 67 petitions linked to the 2018 judgment that permitted women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala shrine, and the subsequent reference that raised wider legal questions requiring a larger Bench. The Court is not only revisiting the immediate controversy but also examining legal issues that will influence other pending disputes about women’s access to religious places and community practices.
As reported, the outcome is expected to shape how courts handle conflicts between:
- Articles 25–26 (freedom of religion and denomination rights), and
- Article 14 (equality) and other individual freedoms.
The key legal focus: “Essential Religious Practices” (ERP) doctrine
The ERP doctrine has been used by Indian courts since early constitutional jurisprudence to determine which religious practices receive protection under Article 25. In the Sabarimala reference, the Supreme Court is expected to examine:
- Whether the ERP test needs reformulation, and
- How far courts can go in deciding what is “essential” to a religion (a question that traces back to classic precedents like the Shirur Mutt line of cases).
In plain terms, the Bench will try to clarify whether courts should act as arbiters of religious doctrine or limit themselves to testing practices against constitutional morality, rights, and public order/health/morality limitations.
Hearing schedule: two-week “marathon” plan (April 7–22)
The Supreme Court has laid out a tight timetable to conclude the hearing by 22 April 2026.
- 7–9 April: Review petitioners/parties supporting review.
- 14–16 April: Parties opposing the review.
- 21 April: Rejoinder submissions.
- 22 April: Concluding submissions by the amicus curiae.
The Court has also directed parties to file written submissions by a specified deadline (reported as on or before 14 March).
Key roles appointed by the Court
The Court appointed:
- Amicus curiae: Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar along with Shivam Singh.
- Nodal counsel (supporting review): Krishna Kumar Singh.
- Nodal counsel (opposing review): Shashwati Pari.
These appointments are meant to streamline arguments and ensure the complex record across multiple petitions is presented coherently within the strict schedule.
Centre’s stated position
According to reporting, the Central Government has stated that it supports the review of the 2018 Sabarimala verdict.
Why this case matters for Indian constitutional law
This nine-judge Bench will likely clarify the constitutional method for resolving recurring clashes between:
- Collective religious autonomy and denomination-based claims, and
- Individual equality, especially gender equality in public religious spaces.
A clearer legal test from a nine-judge Bench can reduce inconsistent outcomes across similar disputes and set a stable constitutional standard for future cases.
UPSC relevance (short, bullet points)
- GS 2 (Polity/Judiciary): Constitution Bench hearings; interpretation of Articles 14, 25, 26 and the ERP doctrine.
- GS 2 (Rights Issues): Gender equality vs religious freedom—constitutional balancing in public religious access disputes.
- Prelims: Sabarimala 2018 verdict review; 9-judge Bench; hearings 7–22 April 2026; 67 petitions; amicus K. Parameshwar; nodal counsel appointments.
FAQs
Q1. When will the nine-judge Bench start hearing the Sabarimala review/reference matters?
The hearings are scheduled to begin on 7 April 2026.
Q2. How long is the Supreme Court planning to hear the matter?
The Court has set a timetable from April 7 to April 22, 2026 to conclude proceedings.
Q3. How many petitions are involved?
Reports indicate 67 petitions linked to the Sabarimala review/reference matters.
Q4. What is the main constitutional issue beyond temple entry?
A major focus is the Essential Religious Practices (ERP) doctrine and how it should be applied alongside constitutional rights like equality.
Q5. Who has been appointed as amicus curiae?
Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar, along with Shivam Singh, has been appointed as amicus curiae.
