Rajya Sabha Chairman Administers Oath to Newly Elected Members

Why in news

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha administered the oath/affirmation to two newly elected Members of Parliament, signifying their formal induction into the Upper House.

Exam relevance

GS2 · Polity, Governance · Prelims

Key facts

1. Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan administered oath/affirmation to two newly elected Members.
2. The newly elected Members are Shri Mansoor Ali Khan and Shri Rajneesh Kumar Agrawal.
3. Shri Mansoor Ali Khan is from Karnataka and Shri Rajneesh Kumar Agrawal is from Madhya Pradesh.
4. Shri Mansoor Ali Khan took oath/affirmation in English, while Shri Rajneesh Kumar Agrawal took oath/affirmation in Hindi.
5. The oath-taking ceremony took place in the Parliament House.
6. Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh, Minister of State Shri L. Murugan, and Secretary General Shri P. C. Mody were present.

Prelims pointers

• The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha administers the oath/affirmation to newly elected members of the Rajya Sabha.
• Members of Parliament must take an oath or affirmation before taking their seat.
• The oath/affirmation is administered according to the form specified in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.

Mains practice question

Discuss the constitutional significance of the oath or affirmation taken by Members of Parliament in India.

Static linkage

Article 104 of the Constitution of India mandates that every person chosen to be a member of Parliament shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the President, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule. The oath of office is administered by the Pro-tem Speaker in the Lok Sabha and by the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha for newly elected members.

Significance

The administration of oath/affirmation is a constitutional requirement for a Member of Parliament to formally assume their duties and responsibilities. It marks the official induction of elected representatives into the legislative body, enabling them to participate in parliamentary proceedings, debates, and voting.