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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2021
Elections & Electoral System
Question No. 9Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q9. Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State?

Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2021 • Polity

Correct Answer: Option (A) — A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organised government

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

According to political theory and international law (e.g., the Montevideo Convention, 1933), the four essential elements of a 'State' are:

  1. Population (a community of persons)
  2. Territory (a defined physical area)
  3. Government (an organised political structure)
  4. Sovereignty (independence from external control and supreme authority internally). Option (a) contains all four essential elements.
Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Look for the definition containing all four classical components of statehood: Population, Territory, Government, and Sovereignty (freedom from external control). Only option (a) includes all four.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021 (Q9)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicPolity → Elections & Electoral System
Official Answer KeyOption (A) — A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organised government

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (3)

Questions from other UPSC Prelims years testing the same or closely linked concept.

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2019 • Q3382% Match

In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

Polity • Constitution & AmendmentsSolve
2023 • Q881% Match

Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?

Polity • Elections & Electoral SystemSolve
2017 • Q5581% Match

Which one of the following statements is correct?

Polity • Fundamental Rights & DPSPSolve

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2021 Q9

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper I Question 9 (Polity)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2021 Polity (Elections & Electoral System) question is Option (A): "A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organised government". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2021 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Polity" and micro-topic "Elections & Electoral System". You can explore all repeated questions from Elections & Electoral System in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Elections & Electoral System UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Look for the definition containing all four classical components of statehood: Population, Territory, Government, and Sovereignty (freedom from external control). Only option (a) includes all four.

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