2021 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 87: Polity and Governance
Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?
aA community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
bA politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
cA number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
dA society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Political science defines the State by four elements: a permanent population, a definite territory, a government and sovereignty, meaning independence from external control. Option (a) contains these elements. The other options add features that are not essential: natural rights and sustenance, a long-shared culture and tradition, or a separate executive and an independent judiciary, which a State may have without being defined by them.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: population, territory, government and sovereignty.
- (b) Wrong: it adds protection of natural rights and sustenance, and omits sovereignty.
- (c) Wrong: culture and tradition are not defining elements, and it omits sovereignty.
- (d) Wrong: an independent judiciary and responsible executive are not essential, and it omits sovereignty.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.