Consider the following statements and choose the correct answer by using the codes given below: Assertion [A]: India is a democratic country. Reason [R]: India has a constitution of its own

Both statements are true, so options C and D are ruled out at once. The real question is whether the reason explains the assertion, and it does not.

Why B is correct: India's democratic character rests on universal adult franchise under Article 326, free and periodic elections conducted by the independent Election Commission under Article 324, and the Preamble's description of India as a 'sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic'. The written Constitution, adopted on 26 November 1949 and in force from 26 January 1950, is a true fact about India.

But having a constitution does not by itself make a country democratic. Many states, including monarchies and one-party systems, have written constitutions. The constitution is the framework; democracy is the content that framework must secure. So R is true but does not explain A.

• Option A fails because a constitution is necessary for democracy but does not explain it.
• Option C fails because the reason is plainly true.
• Option D fails because both statements are true.

Core concept: the difference between a true fact and a causal explanation. Mains link: the basic structure doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) protects the democratic framework from being amended away.

Trap: aspirants see a plausible-sounding link and pick A without asking whether the reason actually explains the assertion.