Q. Constitutional government means (UPSC Prelims 2021)
Answer: a government limited by the terms of the Constitution
Notes: The correct answer is [D] a government limited by the terms of the Constitution. The core essence of constitutionalism is the idea of Limited Government.

• Limited Government (Option D – Correct): A constitutional government is one where the powers of the state and its officials are defined and restricted by a set of fundamental laws (the Constitution). This ensures that the government does not act arbitrarily and that the fundamental rights of citizens are protected against state encroachment.
• Federal Structure (Option A – Incorrect): While many constitutional governments are federal (like India or the USA), it is not a defining requirement. A unitary state (like the UK or France) can also have a constitutional government as long as the government's power is legally limited.
• Nominal vs. Real Powers (Options B & C – Incorrect): These options describe specific types of executive arrangements—Parliamentary (where the Head of State has nominal powers) or Presidential (where the Head has real powers). A government can be constitutional under either system, provided it operates within legal bounds.

Key Principles of Constitutional Government:

• Rule of Law: No one is above the law, including those who govern.
• Checks and Balances: Different branches of government limit each other's power.
• Individual Rights: The government's authority ends where the fundamental rights of the individual begin.

In short, "Constitutional Government" is the opposite of an absolute monarchy or a dictatorship, where the ruler's will is the law.