UPSC Prelims 2023 Q33: Chief Purpose of a Constitution — Explained
Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?
- 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: (c) It defines and limits the powers of government.
Statement-wise explanation
- a: incorrect — A constitution can state goals that guide law-making. In India, Article 37 says the Directive Principles are fundamental in governance and the State must apply them when making laws. But these goals are not enforceable in court, and many constitutions have no such chapter at all. Setting objectives for laws is a secondary function, not the chief purpose.
- b: incorrect — A constitution does say who holds power and how a government is formed. NCERT lists this as one of its functions. But any regime, including an absolute monarchy or a military government, can create offices and a government. Creating offices without limiting them is exactly what constitutional government is meant to prevent.
- c: correct — Britannica defines constitutional government as one where a constitution effectively controls the exercise of political power. This idea is called constitutionalism. A constitution sets up the organs of government, gives each one its powers, and puts limits on all of them through fundamental rights, separation of powers, federal division and judicial review. Defining power and limiting it together is the core purpose every constitution shares.
- d: incorrect — Social justice, equality and security are goals written into the Indian Preamble and the Directive Principles. Not every constitution has them; many classical liberal constitutions focus only on structure and rights. They describe the aims of a particular society, which NCERT treats as a separate, aspirational function, not the chief purpose of a constitution as such.
How to eliminate
The question asks for the chief purpose of 'a country's' Constitution, so look for the function that every constitution performs. A statement that is true only of some constitutions cannot be the chief purpose. Social justice and social security are welfare-state goals specific to constitutions like India's, so drop that one. Setting objectives for laws is also specific, since India's Directive Principles are not found everywhere, and it describes a guiding role rather than the main one. That leaves 'creating offices' and 'defining and limiting powers'. Ask whether a regime without a real constitution could create a government. It could, since any ruler can set up offices. The thing that makes a government constitutional is that its power is limited. So the statement that both defines and limits power is the strongest. Fact to remember: constitutionalism means a higher law that limits government.
Know more
Functions of a constitution (NCERT Class 11, Indian Constitution at Work, Ch. 1)
| # | Function | What it means | Indian example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coordination and assurance | Basic rules that members of society can trust each other to follow | The Constitution as the supreme law |
| 2 | Who decides | Says who holds power and how the government is formed | Parliament, Union Executive, Judiciary (Parts V, VI) |
| 3 | Limits on government | Areas the government may never enter | Fundamental Rights (Part III), judicial review |
| 4 | Aspirations of society | Lets the government create conditions for a just society | Preamble, Directive Principles (Part IV) |
| 5 | Identity | Gives a people their collective political identity | 'We, the People of India' |
Constitutionalism. Having a written document is not enough. A constitution matters only if it really limits power. A country can have a constitution without constitutionalism, for example when the ruler can override it at will.
How limits work in practice
- Rights. Fundamental Rights can be enforced in court (Arts. 32 and 226).
- Separation of powers. Legislature, executive and judiciary check one another.
- Federalism. Power is split between the Union and the States (Seventh Schedule).
- Judicial review. Laws that conflict with the Constitution can be struck down (Art. 13).
- Basic structure. Even Parliament's power to amend has limits (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973).
Codified vs uncodified. The UK has no single written document. Its constitution is spread across statutes, conventions and court decisions, but it still both sets up and limits the government. So the purpose of a constitution does not depend on its form.
NCERT Concepts to Revise
- Functions of a constitution: The four options match functions in NCERT's list of five, so you need to know which one sits at the core.
- Constitutionalism: Constitutionalism is the idea behind the question: a higher law that actually restrains the government.
- Separation of powers: Separation of powers is a main way a constitution divides authority among organs and keeps each in check.