---
title: "Sarva Dharma Sambhava: Indian Secularism | Model Diplomat"
description: "Sarva Dharma Sambhava is the Indian principle of equal respect for all religions, essential for understanding India's unique secularism in UPSC exams."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/sarva-dharma-sambhava"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Sarva Dharma Sambhava is the Indian principle that all religions are equally worthy and deserve equal respect, underpinning the country's distinctive model of secularism.
- How does Sarva Dharma Sambhava differ from Western secularism?
- Is Sarva Dharma Sambhava written into the Constitution of India?
- What is the difference between Sarva Dharma Sambhava and Dharma Nirpekshata?
- Why is Sarva Dharma Sambhava politically contested in India?

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

Sarva Dharma Sambhava is the Indian principle that all religions are equally worthy and deserve equal respect, underpinning the country's distinctive model of secularism.

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In 2018 the Government of India abolished the Haj subsidy, with the Ministry of Minority Affairs framing the decision as an advance toward genuine equality consistent with the equal-respect ethos of Sarva Dharma Sambhava.

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