NationalThursday, 27 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Allahabad High Court on hijab and Article 25: uniform policy and essential religious practice
The Allahabad High Court held that wearing a headscarf is not shown to be an essential religious practice and upheld a school’s uniform policy.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In 2026, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a plea by a minor student from a private CBSE school in Prayagraj seeking permission to wear a hijab with the school uniform, and held that wearing a headscarf was not established as an essential religious practice under Article 25 of the Constitution.
Key specifics
- The petitioner studied from Class 6 to Class 10 and sought admission to Class 11 with a headscarf.
- The school said its dress code was violated and that it was a private institution.
- Article 19(1)(a) and Article 14 were cited by the petitioner, along with Article 25.
- The court said a uniform policy may be bona fide, non-discriminatory and discipline-oriented.
- The judgment relied on precedents including Fathima Thasneem (2018) of the Kerala High Court and Resham v. State of Karnataka.
Exam lens
Constitutional law, Article 25, Article 19(1)(a), Article 14, essential religious practice, school uniform policy — TNPSC may ask which constitutional provisions were invoked and which High Court precedents were cited.