The Supreme Court of India will begin hearing the long-pending Sabarimala review reference before a nine-judge Constitution Bench from April 7, 2026, reviving one of the country’s most closely watched constitutional disputes concerning religion, gender equality and judicial review.
The listing directions were issued by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V.M. Pancholi, which set a fixed calendar for hearings expected to run until April 22.
Background: The 2018 Judgment and Its Aftermath
The case stems from the Supreme Court’s 2018 Constitution Bench verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, striking down a long-standing practice that barred women in the menstruating age group.
The decision sparked intense public and legal debate, leading to multiple review petitions and protests. In 2019, a five-judge bench referred broader constitutional questions arising from the dispute to a larger bench, a move later upheld in 2020.
The matter has remained pending for several years and now returns for final constitutional examination by a larger bench.
What Will Happen in April
According to the Supreme Court’s schedule:
April 7–9: Arguments by parties supporting the review
April 14–16: Arguments opposing the review
April 21: Rejoinder submissions
April 22: Final assistance by the court-appointed amicus curiae
The Court has asked parties to file written submissions ahead of the hearings and indicated that proceedings are expected to conclude within the scheduled timeframe.
Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar has been appointed as amicus curiae to assist the Bench.
Seven Constitutional Questions at the Core
Although popularly called the “Sabarimala review,” the hearings go beyond one temple and focus on larger constitutional questions, including:
What is the interplay between the freedom of religion under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution with other provisions under Part III of the Constitution?
What is the scope of “public order, morality and health” under Article 25(1) of the Constitution?
What is the scope and extent of the word ‘morality’ under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India and whether it is meant to include constitutional morality?
What is the scope and extent of judicial review with regard to identification of essential religious practices?
What is the meaning of expression “Sections of Hindus” occurring in Article 25(2)(b) of the Constitution of India?
Whether essential religious practices are protected under Article 26?
Whether a person not belonging to a religious denomination or religious group can question a practice of that religious denomination or religious group by filing a PIL
Multiple Cases Tagged Together
The reference includes 66 linked matters, covering disputes such as Muslim women’s access to mosques, Entry rights of Parsi women after interfaith marriage, Questions surrounding practices like female genital mutilation in certain communities. Thus the Court’s ruling could establish a common constitutional framework applicable across different faiths and religious institutions.
Centre’s Stand and Broader Impact
During preliminary proceedings, the Union government indicated support for the review petitions challenging the 2018 verdict.
The hearings are widely viewed as a major test of how Indian constitutional law reconciles faith-based customs with principles of equality and non-discrimination. The outcome may influence future cases involving religious practices and gender rights far beyond the Sabarimala temple itself.
What Comes Next
The composition of the nine-judge Constitution Bench is yet to be officially announced. Once hearings begin in April, the Court is expected to hear extensive submissions from senior advocates, religious bodies and intervenors before reserving judgment.
Given the scale of constitutional questions involved, legal experts expect the final decision to become a landmark precedent shaping the relationship between religion, constitutional morality and fundamental rights in India.
