Question map
Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which 1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B - statement 2 only is correct.
Constitutional government provides a system of effective restraints upon governmental action and ensures fairplay, rendering the government responsible[1]. Constitutionalism means essentially limited government, which is the antithesis of government by the unrestrained will of rulers, and assumes limitations on government as opposed to arbitrary government[1].
One reason for having constitutions is the need to restrict the exercise of power[2], particularly because modern states are excessively powerful and have a monopoly over force and coercion[2]. Rights place certain constraints upon state actions and ensure that the authority of the state is exercised without violating the sanctity of individual life and liberty[3].
Statement 1 is incorrect as it reverses the fundamental principle of constitutional government - the constitution restricts state authority to protect individual liberty, not the other way around. Constitutional government is about limiting state power, not maximizing it at the expense of individual freedom.
Sources- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > II Definition > p. 25
- [2] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 10: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > Constitution as Means of Democratic Transformation > p. 223
- [3] Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Rights > 5.3 LEGAL RIGHTS AND THE STATE > p. 73
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Political Theory' question that tests your understanding of the philosophy behind the Constitution rather than specific articles. It is a direct lift from NCERT Class XI (Political Theory) and the introductory definitions in standard texts. If you only memorized articles but ignored the 'Why', you would struggle here.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the concept of "constitutional government" mean placing effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of state authority?
- Statement 2: Does the concept of "constitutional government" mean placing effective restrictions on the authority of the state in the interest of individual liberty?
- Explains that fundamental rights cannot justify unlawful acts and that legislation can restrict private activity for public purposes.
- Explicitly states under Article 19(6) the state may make laws imposing reasonable restrictions on fundamental rights in the interest of the general public.
- Lists state and public interests (sovereignty, security, public order, morality, etc.) that justify restrictions on rights.
- Notes that constitutional rights like freedom to assemble are enabled yet procedurally restricted to allow state regulation in those interests.
- States Clause (4) of Article 19 empowers the State to impose reasonable restrictions on freedom of association in the interest of public order, morality, or sovereignty.
- Shows constitutional text explicitly permits limiting individual freedoms for specified state/public interests.
Gives explicit definitions of 'constitutionalism' and 'constitutional government' as imposing effective restraints upon governmental action and meaning limited government.
A student can use this rule to infer that constitutional government prima facie emphasizes restraining state power rather than empowering state restrictions on individuals.
Presents the exact pair of contrasting statements (restrictions on individual liberty for state authority vs. restrictions on state authority for individual liberty) as a test item, highlighting the conceptual tension.
A student could use this framing to compare which alternative matches textbook definitions or real constitutions on a world map (e.g., democracies vs. authoritarian regimes).
Explains that rights constrain state actions and require the state to justify curtailing liberty (e.g., arrest warrants), portraying rights as protections against arbitrary state power.
Combine this with knowledge of constitutions that enshrine enforceable rights to judge whether constitutional government aims to limit state authority rather than expand it.
States a general purpose of constitutions is to restrict the exercise of state power because modern states are powerful and can abuse force.
A student can apply this principle to infer that constitutional government is designed to check state authority, making the offered statement less likely.
Notes the constitutional reconciliation between individual liberty and public welfare and that liberty is not absolute but subject to reasonable restrictions for public order.
Use this to balance the earlier clues: while constitutions limit state power, they also accept reasonable limits on individual liberty for public welfare—so test the statement by distinguishing 'effective restrictions' intended for the state versus those permitted on individuals.
- Provides explicit definitions: constitutionalism = system of effective restraints upon governmental action (Friedrich).
- Defines constitutional government as 'limited government' and assumes limitations on government as opposed to arbitrary rule (Roucek).
- States a core reason for constitutions is to restrict the exercise of state power.
- Explains modern states' monopoly of force and the need for constitutional limits to prevent abuse of power.
- Explains that legal rights place constraints on state action and require the state to justify curtailing liberty (e.g., arrest warrant requirement).
- Connects individual rights to limiting state authority so state action does not violate individual life and liberty.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from NCERT Class XI 'Political Theory' (Chapter on Rights/Constitution) or Laxmikanth Chapter 3 (Concept of Constitution).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The term 'Constitutionalism'. In Political Science, this specific term implies 'Limited Government'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Master these sibling concepts: Rule of Law (AV Dicey), Separation of Powers (Montesquieu), Checks and Balances, Due Process of Law, Constitutional Morality (Ambedkar), and the difference between 'Rule by Law' vs 'Rule of Law'.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not read Polity merely as a list of rules. Read it as a power struggle between the State and the Individual. Every time you read a provision, ask: 'Does this empower the State or protect the Citizen?' Constitutionalism always leans towards the latter.
Definitions in the references characterise constitutionalism/government as imposing restraints upon governmental action, not expanding state authority over individuals.
High-yield for polity answers: distinguishes 'constitutionalism' from 'absolute/state-centric' rule and is often tested in definitions and comparison questions. Connects to topics on separation of powers, judicial review and limitations on executive. Prepare by memorising authoritative definitions and practising short-argument questions contrasting limited vs arbitrary government.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > II Definition > p. 25
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > II Definition > p. 25
Several references explain that individual liberties are not absolute and that constitutional law permits 'reasonable' restrictions for public welfare, subject to judicial review.
Frequently examined in questions on Fundamental Rights, Article 19 restrictions and judicial interpretation. Useful for essays and case-law based answers about permissible state action. Study by mapping each fundamental right to its permissible restrictions and key tests of 'reasonableness'.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties IJl > p. 121
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > own and to dispose it freely, limited only by: (a) reasonable I. The Constitution restrictions to serve the exigencies of public welfare; and (b) of 1949. any other reasonable restrictions that may be imposed by > p. 146
Sources emphasise the Constitution's attempt to reconcile individual liberty with social welfare and public order rather than to prioritise state authority over individuals.
Crucial for mains answers and interviews on constitutional philosophy and policy: explains why rights are qualified and how Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights interact. Link this to questions on public order, DPSP vs FR conflicts, and prepare using landmark rulings and constitutional provisions.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties IJl > p. 119
- Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 10: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > Constitution as Means of Democratic Transformation > p. 223
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 3: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 27
Definitions in the references identify constitutionalism/constitutional government as imposing effective restraints on governmental action and limiting arbitrary rule.
High-yield for polity questions: explains the normative purpose of constitutions and is frequently tested in definitions and theory of the Constitution. Links to topics like separation of powers and rule of law. Master by memorising core definitional phrases (e.g., 'effective restraints', 'limited government') and using them to frame answers in essays/short notes.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > II Definition > p. 25
References show rights operate to restrict state authority and require procedural safeguards before liberty is curtailed.
Essential for questions on Fundamental Rights, due process and state action; appears in case-based and theory questions. Helps in answering why rights are enforceable and how they check state power. Prepare by linking rights provisions to practical safeguards (e.g., warrants, reasoned action) and relevant judgments/examples.
- Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Rights > 5.3 LEGAL RIGHTS AND THE STATE > p. 73
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > own and to dispose it freely, limited only by: (a) reasonable I. The Constitution restrictions to serve the exigencies of public welfare; and (b) of 1949. any other reasonable restrictions that may be imposed by > p. 146
Multiple references highlight that liberty is qualified and that restrictions must be 'reasonable' to serve public welfare while protecting individual liberty.
Frequently examined in questions on limits to rights, constitutional amendments, and policy vs liberty debates. Useful for evaluation-type answers that weigh individual rights against social control. Study by cataloguing constitutional clauses allowing restrictions and principles (substantive/procedural reasonableness) used by courts.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties IJl > p. 121
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > own and to dispose it freely, limited only by: (a) reasonable I. The Constitution restrictions to serve the exigencies of public welfare; and (b) of 1949. any other reasonable restrictions that may be imposed by > p. 146
The 'Constitution vs. Constitutionalism' Trap: A country can have a Constitution (e.g., North Korea) but lack Constitutionalism. Constitutionalism requires the existence of effective checks on power. The next logical question is on 'Constitutional Morality'—adherence to the core principles of the constitution rather than just the text.
The 'Liberal Democracy' Heuristic: In UPSC Political Theory questions, the correct answer almost always favors the Individual over the State. Statement 1 suggests Authoritarianism (State > Individual). Statement 2 suggests Liberal Democracy (Individual > State). Since India is a liberal democracy, Option B is the natural choice.
Mains GS-2 Link: This concept is the bedrock of the 'Basic Structure Doctrine'. The Supreme Court invented the Basic Structure doctrine specifically to uphold 'Constitutionalism'—i.e., to prevent the Parliament (State Authority) from having unlimited power to amend the Constitution.