Published: 1 February 2026Bar and BenchPolitics
Supreme Court Issues Notices to Centre and 12 States on Anti-Conversion Laws Challenge
On February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to the Union Government and 12 state governments on a PIL filed by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) challenging the constitutional validity of state-level anti-conversion laws. The 12 states include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
The NCCI argued that these laws criminalize voluntary conversion, incentivize vigilante violence against minorities, and allow arrests without due process. A three-judge bench will hear all petitions after the Centre and states file their responses within four weeks. The case is significant for Rajasthan, where the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025 came into force on October 29, 2025.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the constitutional issues raised by the Supreme Court notices on anti-conversion laws and their implications for religious freedom.
Answer (50 words):
On February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and twelve states including Rajasthan on a National Council of Churches India petition challenging anti-conversion laws. Petitioners argued these statutes criminalise voluntary conversion, encourage vigilante violence against minorities and bypass due process, raising Article 25 religious-freedom concerns requiring scrutiny.
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectNationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceBar and Bench
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
Agni-3 IRBM tested in February 2026 has a range of:
Explanation · Correct answer CAgni-3 has a range of 3,000-3,500 km; tested from Chandipur, Odisha.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Supreme Court do regarding anti-conversion laws in India on February 2, 2026?
On **February 2, 2026**, the **Supreme Court of India** issued notices to the **Union Government and 12 state governments** on a PIL filed by the **National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)** challenging the constitutional validity of state-level anti-conversion laws.
Which 12 states have anti-conversion laws challenged in the Supreme Court PIL by NCCI?
The **12 states** with anti-conversion laws challenged in the PIL are: **Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, and Rajasthan**.
What arguments did NCCI make against anti-conversion laws in the Supreme Court PIL?
The **NCCI** argued that state anti-conversion laws: **criminalize voluntary conversion**, incentivize **vigilante violence against minorities**, and allow **arrests without due process**. They contend these laws violate fundamental rights under the Constitution.
What is the Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Act 2008 and why is it relevant to this case?
The **Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Act 2008** is Rajasthan's state law regulating religious conversions, requiring prior permission from authorities and penalizing conversions through force or fraud. It is relevant because **Rajasthan** is one of the 12 states named in the Supreme Court PIL.
What is the next step in the Supreme Court's hearing on anti-conversion laws?
A **three-judge bench** of the Supreme Court will hear all petitions after the Centre and all 12 states file their responses within **four weeks**. The case will determine whether state anti-conversion laws are constitutionally valid under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 25.
