Rajya Sabha Chairman Administers Oath to Newly Elected Members

Why in news

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha administered the oath/affirmation to nine newly elected/re-elected Members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha Chamber.

Exam relevance

GS2 · Polity, Governance · Prelims

Key facts

1. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, administered the oath/affirmation.
2. Nine newly elected/re-elected Members took the oath/affirmation.
3. The ceremony took place in the Rajya Sabha Chamber.
4. Members took oath in Hindi, English, and Bengali.
5. The elected members represent states including West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Rajasthan.

Prelims pointers

• The oath of affirmation for Rajya Sabha members is administered by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Members can take the oath in various scheduled languages, including Hindi, English, and Bengali, as demonstrated by the recent ceremony.
• The oath-taking ceremony is a prerequisite for a Member of Parliament to take their seat and participate in parliamentary proceedings.

Mains practice question

Discuss the constitutional significance of the oath-taking ceremony for 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 is administered by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for members of the Upper House.

Significance

The administration of oath is a constitutional formality that officially inducts elected representatives into Parliament, enabling them to discharge their legislative duties. It signifies the commencement of their term and their commitment to uphold the Constitution.