The idea of equal opportunity is most closely related to which constitutional value?

Equality

Equal opportunity means that people should have a fair chance to study, work, participate, and develop their abilities. It opposes discrimination based on birth, caste, religion, gender, or other irrelevant conditions. This idea is directly connected with the constitutional value of equality because equality requires fair treatment and the removal of unjust barriers. It does not necessarily mean that everyone will achieve the same result; rather, it means that access and chances should not be unfairly restricted.

Option C is correct because equality is the value most closely linked with equal opportunity. Sovereignty concerns independent authority, republic concerns the elected or non-hereditary head of state, and secularism concerns equal respect for different religions. These are important constitutional values, but they do not name the central idea in the question. Whenever the focus is on fair chances and absence of discrimination, equality is the appropriate connection.

This is a Class 9 Civics question. Chapter: Constitutional Design. Topic: Guiding values of the Indian Constitution.