Previous Year Question

The Third Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the Forms of Oaths or Affirmations for several constitutional functionaries and elected representatives. These include the oath of office and secrecy for a Union Minister, oaths for candidates for Parliament and Members of Parliament, Judges of the Supreme Court, the CAG, State Ministers, candidates and members of State Legislatures, and Judges of High Courts.

Statement (A) is correct. The oath of office of a Minister for the Union is contained in Form I of the Third Schedule. The oath of secrecy of a Union Minister is also contained in the Third Schedule as Form II.

Statement (B) is correct. Under Article 124(6), every Judge of the Supreme Court takes an oath according to the form prescribed in the Third Schedule before entering office. The Chief Justice of India, being a Judge of the Supreme Court, is covered by this form of oath.

Statement (C) is incorrect. The President's oath is not contained in the Third Schedule. Its form is separately prescribed by Article 60 itself. The President takes this oath before the Chief Justice of India or, in the CJI's absence, the senior-most available Judge of the Supreme Court.

Statement (D) is correct. Under Article 99, every Member of Parliament must make an oath or affirmation in the form prescribed in the Third Schedule before taking his or her seat.