Constitutional Framework for Minorities — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Re: Kerala Education Bill, 1957

1958

This was one of the earliest and most foundational judgments on Article 30. The Supreme Court clarified that while minorities have the right to establish and administer…

Sidhrajbhai Sabbai v. State of Gujarat

1962

The Supreme Court reiterated and strengthened the principles laid down in the Kerala Education Bill case. It emphasized that the right to administer under Article 30(1) is not…

St. Stephen's College v. University of Delhi

1992

This landmark judgment dealt with the admission policy of minority educational institutions. The Supreme Court held that minority institutions, while having the right to admit…

T.M.A. Pai Foundation & Ors. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.

2002

This was a monumental 11-judge bench decision that comprehensively reviewed the scope of Articles 29 and 30. It largely overturned the 50% reservation rule from St. Stephen's…

Islamic Academy of Education & Anr. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.

2003

Following the T.M.A. Pai Foundation judgment, a five-judge bench was constituted to clarify certain ambiguities, particularly regarding the fee structure and admission process in…

P.A. Inamdar & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.

2005

Another seven-judge bench was constituted to address further issues arising from T.M.A. Pai and Islamic Academy, particularly concerning unaided professional institutions (both…

Secretary, Malankara Syrian Catholic College v. T. Jose

2007

This case reiterated the principles regarding the appointment of teachers in minority educational institutions. The Supreme Court held that while the State can prescribe…

Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust v. Union of India

2014

This five-judge bench judgment addressed the applicability of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to minority educational institutions. The Supreme Court held that the RTE…