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Q33 (IAS/2023) Polity & Governance › Constitutional Basics & Evolution › Constitutionalism and government Official Key

Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 3.

While a Constitution performs multiple functions, its chief purpose in a modern constitutional democracy is to provide a fundamental framework that defines and limits the powers of the government. This concept, known as "Constitutionalism," ensures that the government does not become tyrannical by establishing legal boundaries that protect the rights of citizens.

  • Option 1 and 2: While the Constitution does enable the creation of institutions and guides law-making, these are functional aspects. The core "purpose" is to ensure these powers are not absolute.
  • Option 4: Securing justice and equality are aspirational goals (often found in the Preamble or Directive Principles), but the structural essence of a Constitution is to act as a "limit-setting" document.

Therefore, by specifying what the state can and cannot do, the Constitution fundamentally prevents the arbitrary exercise of power, making Option 3 the most accurate reflection of its primary purpose.

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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country? [A] It determines the objectiv…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'Political Theory' question disguised as Indian Polity. It tests the core definition of 'Constitutionalism' (Limited Government). If you only memorized Articles and Amendments from Laxmikanth but skipped the philosophical basics in NCERT Class XI (Indian Constitution at Work), you likely fell for the 'Social Justice' trap.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
What is the chief purpose of the Constitution of a country?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > 2.2 WHY DO WE NEED A CONSTITUTION? > p. 22
Presence: 5/5
“Constitution is the supreme law that determines the relationship among people living in a territory (called citizens) and also the relationship between the people and government. A constitution does many things: • First, it generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of people to live together; • Second, it specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take which decisions; • Third, it lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are; and • Fourth, it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.”
Why this source?
  • Defines the constitution as the supreme law governing relationships among people and between people and government
  • Lists core functions: generating trust/coordination, specifying how government is constituted, limiting government power, and stating citizens' rights
  • Directly frames the constitution’s purpose as organising political life and protecting rights
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > MEANING > p. 22
Presence: 5/5
“t MEANING The term 'constitution' is derived from the Latin word 'constitute', which means 'to establish' or 'to set-up'. In the present sense, the term 'constitution' refers to a set of principles, which specify the organization and working of the government and the relationship between the government and the people in terms of their rights and duties. The constitution is variously described as the 'fundamental law of the land', 'supreme law of the state', 'basic law of the country', 'instrument of the government', 'rules of the state', 'basic structure of the polity', 'grundnorm of the country' and so on.”
Why this source?
  • Defines 'constitution' as a set of principles that specify the organisation and working of government
  • Emphasises the constitution governs the relationship between the government and the people in terms of rights and duties
Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > OVERVIEW > p. 18
Presence: 4/5
“We noted in the previous chapter that in a democracy the rulers are not free to do what they like. There are certain basic rules that the citizens and the government have to follow. All such rules together are called constitution. As the supreme law of the country, the constitution determines the rights of citizens, the powers of the government and how the government should function. In this chapter we ask some basic questions about the constitutional design of a democracy. Why do we need a constitution? How are the constitutions drawn up? Who designs them and in what way?”
Why this source?
  • Describes the constitution as the supreme law that determines citizens' rights, the powers of government and how government should function
  • States the constitution sets the basic rules that both citizens and government must follow
Pattern takeaway: UPSC is shifting from 'What is in the Constitution?' (Articles) to 'What is the Constitution?' (Philosophy). Options A, B, and D are functions of a constitution, but Option C is the *raison d'être* of a liberal democratic constitution. Always prioritize the 'limiting power' aspect when defining modern constitutions.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct conceptual lift from NCERT Class XI 'Indian Constitution at Work', Chapter 1 (Constitution: Why and How?) and Class IX 'Constitutional Design'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The concept of 'Constitutionalism' vs 'Constitution'. The former specifically implies a system of Limited Government.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: 1. Constitutionalism = Limited Government (prevents tyranny). 2. Rule of Law (AV Dicey) vs Rule by Law. 3. Negative Liberty (Article 21) vs Positive Liberty (DPSPs). 4. Procedural Democracy vs Substantive Democracy. 5. 'Enabling Provisions' (Constitution empowering the state to take positive action, e.g., South Africa) vs 'Limiting Provisions' (Bill of Rights).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not treat Polity merely as a list of Articles. UPSC consistently asks 2-3 questions on Political Theory (Liberty, Equality, State, Rights). Read NCERT Class XI 'Political Theory' to understand the *essence* of these terms before diving into the *provisions* in Laxmikanth.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constitution as the supreme law
💡 The insight

The constitution functions as the highest legal authority determining rights, government powers and rules of functioning.

High-yield for polity: underpins concepts like judicial review, parliamentary limits and fundamental rights; helps answer questions on supremacy, conflicts between laws, and constitutional amendment. Mastering this enables tackling direct-definition, comparison and implication questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > OVERVIEW > p. 18
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > MEANING > p. 22
🔗 Anchor: "What is the chief purpose of the Constitution of a country?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constitution defines government structure and powers
💡 The insight

A central purpose is to specify organisation, composition and decision-making powers of state organs.

Essential for topics on separation of powers, federalism, and institutional design. Questions often ask how constitutions allocate power or resolve institutional conflicts; this concept links to administrative law and governance essays.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 3: Concept of the Constitution > MEANING > p. 22
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > 2.2 WHY DO WE NEED A CONSTITUTION? > p. 22
🔗 Anchor: "What is the chief purpose of the Constitution of a country?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constitution limits government and guarantees rights
💡 The insight

A primary role is to set limits on state power while securing citizens’ rights and duties.

Crucial for questions on fundamental rights, checks and balances, and civil liberties. Understanding this concept helps answer case-based questions, rights vs security debates, and policy implications of constitutional provisions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > 2.2 WHY DO WE NEED A CONSTITUTION? > p. 22
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > INTRODUCTION > p. 26
🔗 Anchor: "What is the chief purpose of the Constitution of a country?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Enabling' Function. While this question focused on the 'Limiting' function (Fundamental Rights), NCERT Class XI (Page 6) explicitly mentions the 'Fourth Function': to enable the government to fulfill the aspirations of a society (e.g., Article 38, DPSPs). A future question will ask: 'Which provision represents the enabling nature of the Constitution?' Answer: Directive Principles.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Dictator Test'. Ask: 'Can a dictatorship have this?' A dictator has laws (Option A), offices (Option B), and claims to seek social justice (Option D). But a dictator *never* wants defined limits on their power (Option C). Therefore, C is the unique feature of a Constitutional Democracy.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS2 (Separation of Powers & Basic Structure). The 'Limiting' purpose is legally enforced via the Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati case). If the Constitution did not limit power, Parliament would be sovereign (like UK), not the Constitution (like India).

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-I · 2017 · Q116 Relevance score: 0.18

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Preamble of the Indian Constitution? 1. The Preamble by itself is not enforceable in a Court of Law. 2. The Preamble states the objectives which the Constitution seeks to establish and promote. 3. The Preamble indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IAS · 2020 · Q83 Relevance score: 0.11

Consider the following statements : 1. The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. 2. The Constitution of India provides for 'judicial review' to safeguard the citizens' liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CAPF · 2018 · Q81 Relevance score: -0.10

Which of the following statements about the Constitution of India is/are correct? 1. The “Objectives Resolution’ was moved by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 2. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee in his capacity as the Law Minister. Select the correct answer using the code given below,

CAPF · 2012 · Q13 Relevance score: -0.50

Consider the following statements about the Indian Constitution : 1. In addition to the structure of the Government, it has also concerned itself with some aspects of a desirable civil society and economy. 2. Through amendments in the year 1976, it has also outlined the fundamental duties of citizens along with their rights. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CAPF · 2014 · Q54 Relevance score: -0.56

Consider the following statements about Constitutional Government : 1. It is a form of limited government 2. One where Constitution is the basis of public authority 3. One where Monarch is the formal Head of the State 4. One where there is always universal adult franchise Which of the statements given above are correct ?