Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
(1) Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion. (2) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the State from making any law— (a) regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice; (b) providing for social welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus. Explanation I.—The wearing and carrying of kirpans shall be deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion. Explanation II.—In sub-clause (b) of clause (2), the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly.
Everyone may hold a faith, practise it, and share it, subject to public order, morality, and health. The State may still regulate economic or political activity dressed up as religion, and social-welfare reforms.
Current official-edition wording. Historical reconstruction is not claimed for this article.
Indian Young Lawyers Assn. v. State of Kerala (2018). A restriction that excludes women from a public temple was held not to be an essential religious practice protected by Article 25, and it failed equality under Articles 14 and 15.