2021 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 94: Polity and Governance
Constitutional government means
aa representative government of a nation with federal structure
ba government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
ca government whose Head enjoys real powers
da government limited by the terms of the Constitution
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Constitutional government is a government whose powers are limited by the terms of a constitution: those who govern are bound by fixed rules and cannot act arbitrarily. A federal structure, a nominal head of state or a head with real powers are features of particular systems, which may or may not be constitutional governments. The test is whether power is limited by the constitution.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: a federal structure is a form of organisation, not the test of constitutional government.
- (b) Wrong: a nominal head describes a parliamentary system, not constitutional government itself.
- (c) Wrong: a head with real powers describes a presidential system.
- (d) Right: government is limited by the terms of the Constitution.
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.