In the context of political theory, how does a Constitution contribute to the "Fundamental Identity" of a people? 1. It mandates that the moral identity of the people must be based on religious texts. 2. It creates a collective political identity by agreeing to a basic set of norms. 3. It mandates that ethnic identity must be the sole criterion for citizenship. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation In political theory, a Constitution serves as the foundational law that constitutes a "people" as a political entity. It provides a collective identity by establishing the basic rules and principles under which a society agrees to be governed. This identity has two main dimensions: political and moral. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: One of the primary functions of a Constitution is to create a collective political identity. Before the existence of a Constitution, individuals may have diverse identities based on region, religion, or language. By agreeing to a basic set of norms and principles on how they will be governed and who will govern them, they form a collective political unit. - Statement 2 is Correct: While a Constitution defines a fundamental moral identity by setting constraints on what a government or society can impose on individuals (e.g., prohibiting slavery or discrimination), it does not mandate that this moral identity be based on religious texts. In modern secular and democratic constitutions, moral identity is derived from universal values like liberty, equality, and justice, rather than religious dogmas. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: A democratic Constitution does not mandate that ethnic identity be the sole criterion for citizenship. On the contrary, modern constitutions, including the Indian Constitution, often transcend ethnic lines to establish citizenship based on legal and political criteria (such as birth, descent, or naturalization) rather than exclusive ethnic homogeneity. Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: A Constitution gives a people a political identity by establishing a common set of rules and a moral identity by enshrining fundamental values, distinct from pre-existing religious or ethnic identities.

NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and how?

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In the context of political theory, how does a Constitution contribute to the "Fundamental Identity" of a people?

It mandates that the moral identity of the people must be based on religious texts.
It creates a collective political identity by agreeing to a basic set of norms.
It mandates that ethnic identity must be the sole criterion for citizenship.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 3 only
B1, 2 and 3
C2 only
D1 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

In political theory, a Constitution serves as the foundational law that constitutes a "people" as a political entity. It provides a collective identity by establishing the basic rules and principles under which a society agrees to be governed. This identity has two main dimensions: political and moral.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: One of the primary functions of a Constitution is to create a collective political identity. Before the existence of a Constitution, individuals may have diverse identities based on region, religion, or language. By agreeing to a basic set of norms and principles on how they will be governed and who will govern them, they form a collective political unit.
Statement 2 is Correct: While a Constitution defines a fundamental moral identity by setting constraints on what a government or society can impose on individuals (e.g., prohibiting slavery or discrimination), it does not mandate that this moral identity be based on religious texts. In modern secular and democratic constitutions, moral identity is derived from universal values like liberty, equality, and justice, rather than religious dogmas.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: A democratic Constitution does not mandate that ethnic identity be the sole criterion for citizenship. On the contrary, modern constitutions, including the Indian Constitution, often transcend ethnic lines to establish citizenship based on legal and political criteria (such as birth, descent, or naturalization) rather than exclusive ethnic homogeneity.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: A Constitution gives a people a political identity by establishing a common set of rules and a moral identity by enshrining fundamental values, distinct from pre-existing religious or ethnic identities.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and how?

Consider the following statements regarding the "Constituent Assembly" elections: 1. Members were chosen by direct election by the people of India. 2. Members were chosen by indirect election by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies. 3. The Provincial Legislative Assemblies were established under the Indian Independence Act, 1947. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following features was NOT borrowed from the British Constitution?

medium

Which provision of the Indonesian Constitution is cited as an example of an enabling provision?

medium

Which of the following was NOT a feature of the Objectives Resolution?

easy

The "Objectives Resolution" moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946: 1. Defined the aims of the Constituent Assembly. 2. Declared India to be an independent Sovereign Republic. 3. Guaranteed safeguards for minorities and backward classes. 4. Established the exact federal structure of the Union immediately. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

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Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: One of the primary functions of a Constitution is to create a collective political identity. Before the existence of a Constitution, individuals may have diverse identities based on region, religion, or language. By agreeing to a basic set of norms and principles on how they will be governed and who will govern them, they form a collective political unit.
Statement 2 is Correct: While a Constitution defines a fundamental moral identity by setting constraints on what a government or society can impose on individuals (e.g., prohibiting slavery or discrimination), it does not mandate that this moral identity be based on religious texts. In modern secular and democratic constitutions, moral identity is derived from universal values like liberty, equality, and justice, rather than religious dogmas.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: A democratic Constitution does not mandate that ethnic identity be the sole criterion for citizenship. On the contrary, modern constitutions, including the Indian Constitution, often transcend ethnic lines to establish citizenship based on legal and political criteria (such as birth, descent, or naturalization) rather than exclusive ethnic homogeneity.