Which one of the following statements best reflects the chief purpose

Which one of the following statements best reflects the chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?

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It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.

It enables the creation of political offices and a government.

It defines and limits the powers of government.

It secures social justice, social equality and social security.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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The chief purpose of a constitution is to establish the fundamental principles, structure, powers, and duties of the government, while also defining and limiting the extent of governmental power to protect the rights and liberties of the citizens. It creates the framework for governance but, crucially, also acts as a restraint on the exercise of power, preventing arbitrary rule. Option C, “It defines and limits the powers of government,” best encapsulates this dual role, particularly the limiting aspect which is a hallmark of constitutionalism.

Constitutions are the supreme law of the land, laying down the structure of the state and its institutions. A core function is to ensure that governmental power is not absolute but is exercised within defined boundaries, often through a system of checks and balances and the enumeration of fundamental rights.

While enabling the creation of political offices (Option B) is part of establishing the government structure, it doesn’t include the equally important aspect of limiting power. Objectives for lawmaking (Option A) and securing social justice (Option D) are often goals stated in the preamble or directive principles, guided by the constitution’s framework, but the fundamental purpose of the constitution itself is the creation and regulation of power.

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