NCERT Class 8 Political Science — Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

mcqmedium

From the perspective of constitutional governance, what is the central purpose of adopting a Constitution in a democracy?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ATo lay out the ideals that define the nature of the country and its polity
BTo grant absolute and unrestricted powers to the elected government
CTo ensure the permanent rule of the majority community
DTo enforce the cultural and religious practices of the majority

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

To lay out the ideals that define the nature of the country and its polity

Explanation

A Constitution in a democratic setup serves as the supreme law that establishes the fundamental identity of the state and its people. It functions as a set of basic rules that allow for minimal coordination amongst members of a society and specifies how the government will be constituted and limited.

Option Analysis

To ensure the permanent rule of the majority community is incorrect: While democracy involves decision-making based on majority support, a Constitution is designed to prevent the "tyranny of the majority." It safeguards the rights of minorities and ensures that the majority cannot undermine the fundamental rights of others.
To lay out the ideals that define the nature of the country and its polity is correct: A central purpose of a Constitution is to lay out the ideals that define the fundamental nature of the country. It reflects the moral and political vision of the state (e.g., justice, liberty, equality) and defines the polity (e.g., Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic). It sets the boundaries and aspirations for the society.
To grant absolute and unrestricted powers to the elected government is incorrect: The concept of "Constitutionalism" is inherently linked to "Limited Government." A Constitution restricts the power of the state and checks the absolute authority of the government to protect the liberties of citizens, rather than granting unrestricted power.
To enforce the cultural and religious practices of the majority is incorrect: In a modern democracy, especially a secular one, the Constitution does not enforce the cultural or religious practices of the majority. Instead, it typically guarantees religious freedom and protects the cultural rights of all communities to ensure diversity and pluralism.

Key Takeaway

The Constitution serves as a normative framework that defines the nature of the polity and the fundamental identity of the people, ensuring that the government operates within specific ideals rather than exercising arbitrary power.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

With reference to the concept of 'Constitutive Rules' in a society, consider the following: 1. They define the fundamental nature of a society. 2. They are temporary rules that change with every election. 3. In modern large societies, these rules are typically formulated through consensus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the historical evolution of the Indian Constitution: 1. The demand for a Constituent Assembly was first made by the British Government in 1934. 2. The Constituent Assembly was convened for the first time in December 1946. 3. The drafting of the Constitution was completed between December 1946 and November 1949. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following assertions regarding the political history of Nepal: 1. The 1990 Constitution of Nepal vested final authority in the Council of Ministers. 2. The 2015 Constitution of Nepal was adopted to establish the country as a democracy. 3. The transition from monarchy to democracy did not require any change in the constitutive rules of the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

In the Indian Constitution, the safeguards against the misuse of authority by political leaders are primarily enshrined in:

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the concept of 'Tyranny of the Majority': 1. It can refer to one community dominating another. 2. It never involves members of one community dominating others within the same community. 3. The Constitution contains rules to prevent the exclusion of minorities from resources available to the majority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 8 Political Science chapters

Correct Option

The correct option is

To lay out the ideals that define the nature of the country and its polity

Explanation

Option Analysis

To ensure the permanent rule of the majority community is incorrect: While democracy involves decision-making based on majority support, a Constitution is designed to prevent the "tyranny of the majority." It safeguards the rights of minorities and ensures that the majority cannot undermine the fundamental rights of others.
To lay out the ideals that define the nature of the country and its polity is correct: A central purpose of a Constitution is to lay out the ideals that define the fundamental nature of the country. It reflects the moral and political vision of the state (e.g., justice, liberty, equality) and defines the polity (e.g., Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic). It sets the boundaries and aspirations for the society.
To grant absolute and unrestricted powers to the elected government is incorrect: The concept of "Constitutionalism" is inherently linked to "Limited Government." A Constitution restricts the power of the state and checks the absolute authority of the government to protect the liberties of citizens, rather than granting unrestricted power.
To enforce the cultural and religious practices of the majority is incorrect: In a modern democracy, especially a secular one, the Constitution does not enforce the cultural or religious practices of the majority. Instead, it typically guarantees religious freedom and protects the cultural rights of all communities to ensure diversity and pluralism.