Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan administers oath/affirmation today to newly elected/re-elected Members in Rajya Sabha Chamber

Why in news

The Chairman of Rajya Sabha administered oath/affirmation to ten newly elected/re-elected Members of the Rajya Sabha.

Exam relevance

GS2 · Polity, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan administered oath/affirmation to ten newly elected/re-elected Members.
2. The ceremony took place in the Rajya Sabha Chamber.
3. Five Members took oath/affirmation in Hindi, one in English, one in Tamil, and three in Telugu.
4. The newly inducted members represent states including Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha.
5. Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice, and Shri P. C. Mody, Secretary General of Rajya Sabha, were present on the occasion.

Prelims pointers

• The Chairman of Rajya Sabha administers the oath/affirmation to newly elected/re-elected members of the Rajya Sabha.
• Members of Parliament take an oath or affirmation before taking their seat in the House.
• Oath/affirmation can be taken in various languages recognized by the Constitution.

Mains practice question

Discuss the constitutional provisions and significance of oath-taking by Members of Parliament in upholding democratic principles and ensuring the effective functioning of the Indian legislature.

Static linkage

The oath or affirmation by Members of Parliament is a constitutional requirement under Article 99 of the Indian Constitution. It signifies their commitment to uphold the Constitution and faithfully discharge their duties, marking their formal assumption of office in the respective House.

Significance

The oath-taking ceremony is a fundamental aspect of parliamentary democracy, ensuring that elected representatives formally commit to the Constitution before commencing their legislative duties. It reinforces the sanctity of the parliamentary institution and the rule of law. The representation of members from diverse states and linguistic backgrounds also highlights the inclusive nature of India's federal structure and parliamentary system.