Article 159 of Constitution of India – Oath or affirmation by the Governor
Article 159 of Constitution of India deals with Oath or affirmation by the Governor
Original Text of Article 159 of Constitution of India
Every Governor and every person discharging the functions of the Governor shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe in the presence of the Chief Justice of the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to the State, or, in his absence, the senior most Judge of that Court available, an oath or affirmation in the following form, that is to say—
“I, A. B., do swear in the name of God that I will faithfully execute the
solemnly affirm office of Governor (or discharge the functions of the Governor) of ………(name of the State) and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of ..……(name of the State)
Questions related to Article 159 of Constitution of India
Article 159 lays down the oath or affirmation that every Governor must take before assuming office, affirming faith in the Constitution of India and duty to serve the people of the State.
The Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned State, or in their absence, the senior-most judge, administers the oath as required by Article 159 and supported by Indian Kanoon rulings.
The Governor promises to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of India and to devote themselves to the service and well-being of the people of the State, in line with the Articles of Indian Constitution.
Yes, taking the oath or affirmation is constitutionally mandatory. A person cannot discharge the duties of a Governor until this requirement under Article 159 is fulfilled.
You can explore Indian Kanoon for the exact wording of the Governor’s oath and for judicial references where the validity and importance of the oath under the Indian Constitution were examined.
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