---
title: "Essential Religious Practices Test Explained"
description: "The Essential Religious Practices Test helps Indian courts determine which practices are protected under Articles 25 and 26, crucial for UPSC GS2 polity."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/essential-religious-practices-test"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Essential Religious Practices Test is a judicial doctrine by which Indian courts decide whether a practice is integral to a religion and thus protected under Articles 25 and 26.
- Which case first established the Essential Religious Practices Test?
- How does the test differ from the sincerity-of-belief standard used in the United States?
- Why is the doctrine controversial?
- How does the Essential Religious Practices Test relate to constitutional morality?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In the 2018 Sabarimala judgment, the Supreme Court of India applied the Essential Religious Practices Test to hold that barring women aged 10–50 from the temple was not integral to the faith and violated Article 25.

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