Article 25 — Freedom 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, practise 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.

Source: Constitution of India, as published by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The word 'propagate' in Article 25 was contentious in the Constituent Assembly. Christian members argued it was essential for missionary work; members like T. T. Krishnamachari argued it should not include conversion by improper inducement. The compromise was 'propagate' — the right to share one's faith — but subsequent state laws against conversion by force, fraud, or inducement (anti-conversion laws) have been challenged as restrictions on this right. In Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977), the Supreme Court held that the right to propagate does not include the right to convert. Article 25 is also central to debates about cow slaughter bans, temple administration, and the Uniform Civil Code.

• Article 14
• Article 26
• Article 44

Last reviewed: 1 June 2026