Which one of the following is not a function of the Constitution of India?
- (a)To ensure participation of good people in politics
- (b)To guarantee a set of rights to citizens
- (c)To define the power of the different organs of government
- (d)To create conditions for a just society
Correct — A, To ensure participation of good people in politics. A constitution lays down the ground rules of government: it guarantees rights to citizens, defines and limits the powers of the different organs (legislature, executive, judiciary) and sets out the aspirations for a just society. But it cannot guarantee that only 'good people' will enter politics — who contests and wins depends on elections and the electorate, not on the text of the Constitution. So ensuring the participation of good people in politics is not a function of the Constitution.
- (b)To guarantee a set of rights to citizens — Guaranteeing rights is a core function — Part III of the Constitution provides Fundamental Rights precisely for this purpose.
- (c)To define the power of the different organs of government — Defining and distributing the powers of the legislature, executive and judiciary is a basic function of any constitution.
- (d)To create conditions for a just society — Setting out the goals of a just society — through the Preamble and the Directive Principles — is a genuine function of the Constitution.
A constitution performs a set of standard functions: it generates trust and coordination, specifies how the government is constituted and who has the power to decide, lays limits on that power while guaranteeing rights, and expresses the aspirations of the people for a just society. What it cannot do is guarantee the personal quality of those who enter public life.
Three options restate textbook functions of a constitution. The odd one shifts from what the document does to who takes part in politics — an outcome of elections and civic choice, not a task the Constitution can perform.
- A constitution defines how the government is formed and distributes power among its organs.
- It guarantees a set of rights to citizens (Fundamental Rights in Part III).
- It expresses the goals of a just society through the Preamble and Directive Principles.
- It cannot ensure that only 'good people' enter politics — that depends on elections and the electorate.
Three are genuine functions of a constitution; ensuring 'good people' enter politics is not — the answer is (a).
- Reading a desirable political outcome (good people in politics) as a constitutional function.
- Confusing what the Constitution sets as goals (a just society) with what it cannot guarantee (who wins elections).
Asked as 'which is NOT a function' — separate genuine tasks of a constitution from a desirable but uncontrollable political outcome.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which one of the following is a primary function of a constitution?
- (a)To fix the market prices of goods
- (b)To define and limit the powers of government
- (c)To select candidates for elections
- (d)To run the day-to-day administration
Answer(b) To define and limit the powers of government — a core constitutional function.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The aspiration for a just society in the Constitution of India is expressed mainly through the Preamble and
- (a)the Directive Principles of State Policy
- (b)the Seventh Schedule
- (c)the anti-defection law
- (d)the writ jurisdiction
Answer(a) the Directive Principles of State Policy — they set social and economic goals.