निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा एक कथन किसी देश के ‘संविधान’ के मुख्य प्रयोजन को सर्वोत्तम रूप से प्रतिबिंबित करता है?
Read this question in English
Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?
(a) It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws. · (b) It enables the creation of political offices and a government. · (c) It defines and limits the powers of government. · (d) It secures social justice, social equality and social security.
उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English
Answer: (c) यह सरकार की शक्तियों को परिभाषित और सीमाबद्ध करता है।
A constitution's chief purpose is to define what powers a government has and to limit them, so that those in office cannot trespass on citizens' fundamental rights. The other options describe secondary functions or goals that only some constitutions pursue.
- ✓ (c) NCERT lists one core function of a constitution as setting limits on what a government can impose on its citizens, for example through fundamental rights. Defining and limiting government power is common to every constitution.
- ✗ (b) Creating a government and deciding who holds decision-making power is a real function, but it is a means of organising power, not the chief purpose.
- ✗ (d) Enabling a government to pursue a just society is another function, and it depends on the aims a particular constitution sets. Not every constitution promises social security.
- ✗ (a) A constitution lays down the basic rules and the source of law-making authority; it does not fix the objective of each law.
Remember · A constitution gives basic rules, says who holds power, limits government power to protect citizens, and enables a just society. 'Limits government power' is its core purpose.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 1 (practise this chapter) · Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 1 (practise this chapter) · Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 1 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 1 “So the third function of a constitution is to set some limits on what a government can impose on its citizens. These limits are fundamental in the sense that government may never trespass them.”
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 1 “The second function of a constitution is to specify who has the power to make decisions in a society. It decides how the government will be constituted.”
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 1 “The fourth function of a constitution is to enable the government to fulfil the aspirations of a society and create conditions for a just society.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·