Previous Year Question
Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?
A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory, independent of external control and possessing an organised government
A politically organised 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
A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
In political science, a State is generally considered to possess four essential elements—
Population
Definite territory
Government
Sovereignty
Option (a) includes all four elements. A permanent community represents population, a definite territory represents the geographical element, an organised government represents political organisation, and independence from external control represents sovereignty.
Essential elements of a State
Population
A community of people is essential for the existence of a State. No universally fixed minimum or maximum population is prescribed.
Definite territory
A State must possess a defined geographical area. It generally includes land territory, internal waters, territorial sea and the airspace above them.
The existence of a boundary dispute does not by itself extinguish statehood when an identifiable territory exists.
Organised government
Government is the agency through which the State—
Makes and enforces laws.
Maintains law and order.
Administers public affairs and justice.
Conducts internal and external policies.
Governments may change while the continuity of the State remains intact.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty means—
The State possesses supreme legal and political authority within its territory.
It is independent of external control in conducting international relations.
This element distinguishes a State from a province, local authority, colony or merely a cultural community.
Why are the other options inadequate?
Option (b): It refers to political organisation and government but does not expressly include external independence or sovereignty.
Option (c): A community sharing culture and tradition may constitute a nation, ethnic group or tribal community; without organised government and sovereignty, it is not necessarily a State.
Option (d): An executive responsible to a central authority may describe a constituent unit. It does not include sovereign independence from external control.
Different meaning of ‘State’ under Article 12
The question uses ‘State’ in its general political-science sense. For Part III of the Constitution, Article 12 gives the term a special definition that includes—
Government and Parliament of India
Government and Legislature of each State
All local and other authorities within India or under the control of the Government of India
This definition applies for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and differs from the general political definition of a State.