Constitution of India - Third Schedule

Third Schedule of the Constitution of India: Forms of Oaths and Affirmations

The Third Schedule to the Constitution of India prescribes the constitutional forms of oath or affirmation for Union and State Ministers, candidates and members of Parliament and State Legislatures, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

Relevant constitutional provisions: Articles 75(4), 99, 124(6), 148(2), 164(3), 188 and 219. The Constitution also refers to the prescribed candidate oath in Articles 84(a) and 173(a).
Contents

Meaning and legal purpose of the Third Schedule

An oath or affirmation is a formal constitutional undertaking made before entering upon specified public duties or, in the case of candidates, as part of the constitutional qualification framework. The Third Schedule supplies the prescribed wording. Depending on the office, the Constitution requires the person to make and subscribe the relevant oath or affirmation before the authority identified in the applicable Article.

Article 75(4) concerns a Union Minister; Article 99 concerns members of Parliament; Article 124(6) concerns Judges of the Supreme Court; Article 148(2) concerns the Comptroller and Auditor-General; Article 164(3) concerns a State Minister; Article 188 concerns members of a State Legislature; and Article 219 concerns Judges of a High Court.

Forms of Oaths or Affirmations

I. Form of oath of office for a Minister for the Union

"I, A.B., do swear in the name of God / 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."

II. Form of oath of secrecy for a Minister for the Union

"I, A.B., do swear in the name of God / 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."

III A. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by a candidate for election to Parliament

"I, A.B., having been nominated as a candidate to fill a seat in the Council of States (or the House of the People) do swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India."

III B. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by a member of Parliament

"I, A.B., having been elected (or nominated) a member of the Council of States (or the House of the People) do swear in the name of God / 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 and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter."

IV. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by Judges of the Supreme Court and the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India

"I, A.B., having been appointed Chief Justice (or a Judge) of the Supreme Court of India (or Comptroller and Auditor-General of India) do swear in the name of God / 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 duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and that I will uphold the Constitution and the laws."

V. Form of oath of office for a Minister for a State

"I, A.B., do swear in the name of God / 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 State of ............ 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."

VI. Form of oath of secrecy for a Minister for a State

"I, A.B., do swear in the name of God / 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 State of ............ except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister."

VII A. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by a candidate for election to the Legislature of a State

"I, A.B., having been nominated as a candidate to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly (or Legislative Council), do swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India."

VII B. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by a member of the Legislature of a State

"I, A.B., having been elected (or nominated) a member of the Legislative Assembly (or Legislative Council), do swear in the name of God / 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 and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter."

VIII. Form of oath or affirmation to be made by Judges of a High Court

"I, A.B., having been appointed Chief Justice (or a Judge) of the High Court at (or of) ............ do swear in the name of God / 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 duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and that I will uphold the Constitution and the laws."

Official constitutional text

For authoritative reference, readers should verify the current text of the Constitution through the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice and India Code.

Updated: 19 September 2026. This page is an informational presentation of the Third Schedule and should be read with the official constitutional text and applicable amendments.