Swearing-In Ceremony of Prime Minister And Cabinet Ministers In India - Everything you need to know

The oath ceremony also called as the swearing in ceremony is the formal process of assuming office in the Indian parliament. The four important oath taking ceremonies in India pertain to the swearing in by the President of India, Vice-President of India, Union Council of Ministers of India including the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or High Court of India.

The oath taking ceremony happens when the new government takes charge of the Lok Sabha positions following the elections. The winning party chooses the Prime Minister and the oath taking ceremony is scheduled for the Prime Minister and the council of Ministers who will assume their offices in the Union Government.

The President of India administers the oath ceremony while the Prime Minister and the Union Ministers take charge. The grand ceremony usually takes place in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the invitees from all over the world attend this grand function when the Lok Sabha assumes its office in the Indian parliament.

Called as the oath of office and secrecy, the oath taken by the Prime Ministers and the Union Ministers comprises two parts. The first part confirms the candidate’s faith in the Indian constitution and affirms that he or she would act in accordance to the Indian constitution and discharge the duties to the best of his or her honesty and integrity for the welfare of the nation. The second part of the oath deals with the candidate’s commitment to safeguard the official information and secrets under their office.

The oath of office administered by the president for Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers in India:

The oath of office extracted from Schedule III of the Constitution of India:

I, (name), do swear in the name of God (or, solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

The oath of secrecy extracted from Schedule III of the Constitution of India:

I, (name), do swear in the name of God (or, solemnly affirm) that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister.

Why is it important?

The oath ceremony in India is a very prestigious and important event that is conducted as guided by the constitution of India. The true essence of the oath ceremony is the official or formal way of affirming the candidate’s commitment to his office and the welfare of the Indian democracy while he or she will be entrusted with become a stakeholder in administering the government of the largest republic.