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

The answer is A. This is essentially Garner's classic definition of the State, and it packs in the four elements you must know: a population, a definite territory, independence (sovereignty) from external control, and an organized government that the people habitually obey. Sovereignty is the element that separates a State from every other human association.

• B is wrong because it describes the purpose and functions of government (law and order, protecting natural rights, safeguarding livelihood). It leaves out sovereignty, which is the defining feature.
• C describes a nation or a cultural community. Shared culture and tradition are nation-related ideas and do not define the State. A State can contain several nations.
• D describes the structure of a constitutional government: executive, judiciary, central authority. That is the government, not the State. Judicial independence is a feature of certain systems, not a necessary condition of statehood.

This connects to the Polity and International Relations syllabus, where the State-Nation-Government distinction matters for questions on sovereignty, self-determination and federalism.

Trap: Aspirants pick B because it sounds comprehensive and lists functions. Always check whether an option gives the necessary conditions of statehood or only its purpose.