The Vice-President must swear a religious oath invoking God.

The Constitution gives a choice: the person can either 'swear in the name of God' or 'solemnly affirm,' allowing for both religious and secular expressions of the same promise.

Any official can administer this oath.

The oath must be made before the President of India, or a person specifically appointed by the President for this purpose — not just any random official.

The Constitution of India

Article 69

Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President

Every Vice-President shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the President, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation in the following form, that is to say —§

“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 and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter.”§

Why this exists

This Article ensures that the person who may temporarily act as President, and who also chairs the Rajya Sabha as ex-officio Chairman, formally commits to constitutional loyalty and honest service before exercising any power. It mirrors the oath required of the President under Article 60, reflecting the framers' intent to bind high constitutional offices to the same foundational promise. Offering both a religious ('swear in the name of God') and secular ('solemnly affirm') option respects India's diverse beliefs and constitutional secularism.

Common misconceptions

Myth: The Vice-President must swear a religious oath invoking God.
Fact: The Constitution gives a choice: the person can either 'swear in the name of God' or 'solemnly affirm,' allowing for both religious and secular expressions of the same promise.
Myth: Any official can administer this oath.
Fact: The oath must be made before the President of India, or a person specifically appointed by the President for this purpose — not just any random official.