Oath or affirmation by members
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 188 (Oath or affirmation by members): Regulates State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Councils under Part VI.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 188 ('Oath or affirmation by members') in Part VI, Chapter III governs the State Legislature (Vidhan Sabha and, where applicable, Vidhan Parishad). It sets the constitutional rules for composition of Assemblies, MLA qualifications/disqualifications, sessions, Speaker/Deputy Speaker duties, passage of State Bills and Budgets, assent to Bills (Arts 200–201), and legislative privileges. Specifically: Every member of the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council of a State shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the Governor, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 188): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Oath or affirmation by members' under Part VI
Sets a direct, self-contained constitutional command binding on public authorities across India
Exercises of constitutional office under this article must follow aid, advice, and established constitutional conventions
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
State Legislatures must legislate within the State and Concurrent Lists (Seventh Schedule) and cannot violate Fundamental Rights or constitutional procedures.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Guarantees democratic law-making and budget scrutiny at the state level through your elected MLAs.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: