Which of the following best describes the Indian variant of political…

Which of the following best describes the Indian variant of political secularism adopted in the Constitution?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → A kind of judicious distance between State and religion

Option (1) A complete wall of separation between State and religion — Incorrect. The Indian variant has no absolute separation of State from religion. The State keeps legal space to reform practices such as untouchability.

Option (2) A kind of judicious distance between State and religion — Correct. Indian secularism keeps a judicious distance between State and religion. The State treats all religions equally but can still step in for social reform.

Option (3) A State religion with protection for minority faiths — Incorrect. The Constitution names no State religion. All religions were guaranteed equal treatment by the State.

Option (4) Religious instruction in State-run schools for each community — Incorrect. The State banned compulsory religious instruction in State-run schools and colleges, as part of keeping its distance from religious communities.

NCERT (2026-27): “5.2 The fear of domination …
All religions were guaranteed equal treatment by the State and given the right to maintain charitable institutions. The State also sought to distance itself from religious communities, banning compulsory religious instructions in State-run schools and colleges, and declaring religious discrimination in employment to be illegal. However, a certain legal space was created for social reform within communities, a space that was used to ban untouchability and introduce changes in personal and family laws. In the Indian variant of political secularism, then, there has been no absolute separation of State from religion, but a kind of judicious distance between the two.”

Which of the following best describes the Indian variant of political secularism adopted in the Constitution?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → A kind of judicious distance between State and religion

Option (3) A State religion with protection for minority faiths — Incorrect. The Constitution names no State religion. All religions were guaranteed equal treatment by the State.