Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) It defines and limits the powers of government.
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). ·