Question map
Constitutional government means
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4: a government limited by the terms of the Constitution.
The core concept of Constitutionalism is "Limited Government." It implies that the authority of the government is derived from and limited by a body of fundamental law (the Constitution). This prevents the arbitrary exercise of power and protects individual liberties against state encroachment.
- Option 1 is incorrect because a constitutional government can exist in unitary states (like the UK) as well as federal ones; federalism is a structural choice, not the definition of constitutionalism.
- Options 2 and 3 describe specific forms of governmentâParliamentary (nominal head) or Presidential (real head). However, a government is "constitutional" only if its powers, whether held by a nominal or real head, are legally restricted.
Therefore, Option 4 is the most accurate as it captures the essential legal limitation that defines a constitutional regime, ensuring that the government operates within prescribed boundaries.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Political Theory' question, moving beyond Article memorization to conceptual clarity. It tests if you can distinguish between a specific *type* of constitution (Federal/Parliamentary) and the *definition* of Constitutionalism itself. The answer lies in the first chapter of NCERT Class XI.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does "constitutional government" mean a representative government of a nation with a federal structure?
- Statement 2: Does "constitutional government" mean a government whose head of state enjoys only nominal powers?
- Statement 3: Does "constitutional government" mean a government whose head of state enjoys real (substantial) powers?
- Statement 4: Does "constitutional government" mean a government limited by the terms of the constitution?
This UPSC question lists as options both 'a representative government of a nation with federal structure' and 'a government limited by the terms of the Constitution', implying 'constitutional government' is contrasted with those meanings.
A student could use this contrast to test which option fits standard usage by checking other sources/examples where 'constitutional government' is equated with limitation by law rather than necessarily federal/representative form.
Defines key features of a federal government (written constitution, division of powers) showing 'federal' is a distinct technical category.
Use this rule to judge that 'federal structure' is a separate property from being 'constitutional' and so cannot be assumed to be implied by 'constitutional government'.
States a federal government has a written constitution that cannot be unilaterally altered, linking 'federal' to constitutional entrenchment but not equating 'constitutional government' with 'federal'.
A student could compare examples of constitutional governments that are unitary (UK/France) to test whether 'constitutional' always implies federal structure.
Explains classification into federal and unitary constitutions and gives country examples, reinforcing that 'constitutional' systems vary (federal vs unitary).
A student can map the examples (e.g., UK is constitutional but unitary) to infer that 'constitutional government' does not necessarily mean 'federal'.
Says 'our Constitution provides for a federal Government', indicating that 'constitution' can provide for federalism but that 'constitutional' describes the source/instrument rather than guaranteeing any specific form (representative/federal).
A student could contrast constitutions that create different forms (federal/unitary, representative/monarchical) to judge whether 'constitutional government' implies the particular combination in the statement.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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