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1 September 2026

Goa anti-conversion Bill

The proposed legislation touches upon fundamental constitutional rights regarding freedom of religion and secularism, which are core topics for GS1 and GS2 mains examinations.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The Goa government deferred the introduction of the 'Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026' in the State Assembly following internal opposition.
  • The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit religious conversions achieved through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means, or marriage.
  • Proposed penalties include imprisonment up to life, a minimum fine of ₹50,000, and victim compensation up to ₹5 lakh.
  • The Bill includes provisions to declare marriages void if solemnized solely for the purpose of unlawful conversion.
  • Enhanced punishments are prescribed for offenses involving minors, women, persons with disabilities, or members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Government data indicates only four cases of illegal religious conversion were registered in Goa between 2021 and 2025.
  • Critics argue that existing criminal laws are sufficient to address forced or fraudulent conversions and that new legislation may impact communal harmony.

Questions

  1. Discuss the constitutional validity and social implications of state-level anti-conversion laws in the context of the right to freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Examine the necessity of specific anti-conversion legislation in India, given the existence of provisions in the Indian Penal Code to address fraud, coercion, and undue influence. Critically analyze whether such laws align with the principles of secularism and individual autonomy. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following fundamental rights is most directly invoked in debates surrounding anti-conversion legislation in India?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-09-01/goa-anti-conversion-bill