Authority is defined as legitimate power, meaning it is the recognized right to command and be obeyed. While raw power can force compliance, authority ensures stability and voluntary cooperation because the subjects accept the right of the ruler to exercise control. In political science, authority is viewed as the most sustainable and effective mechanism for governance, as it transforms mere force into a structured, accepted, and institutionalized system of rule.

The claim that SAARC countries supported the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is false. The LTTE was a militant separatist group, and while the conflict involved complex regional dynamics, SAARC as an intergovernmental organization did not provide support to the LTTE. Most member states maintained a policy of non-interference or supported the Sri Lankan government's territorial integrity.

The Dharmashastras are categorized as Smriti literature, which translates to 'that which is remembered'. Unlike Shruti, which is considered divinely revealed and eternal, Smriti texts are authored by human sages and serve as authoritative guides on social, legal, and ethical conduct within the Vedic tradition, providing a framework for dharma in daily life.

A revolution is defined as a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization. It typically involves a complete transformation of social structures, institutions, and the underlying values or myths of a society. By definition, a revolution necessitates a change in leadership formation, as the existing ruling class is replaced. Therefore, the claim that there are no changes in leadership is inconsistent with the concept of a revolution.

A political regime refers to the formal and informal structure and organization of a government. It encompasses the set of institutions, laws, norms, and processes that govern a society. Institutional arrangements specifically refer to the structural setup of these governing bodies, including the separation of powers, the roles of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the established relationship between the state and its citizens.

The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 Parties at the COP21 climate conference in Paris on December 12, 2015. This landmark international treaty represents a global consensus to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, marking a significant shift in international environmental policy and cooperation.

The instrumentalist perspective views the state not as an end in itself, but as a tool or mechanism designed to serve human needs. In this framework, the state's legitimacy is derived from its ability to facilitate human development, protect rights, and promote the common welfare. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of the state is the flourishing of the human beings who constitute the political community.

Political ideology is a coherent set of ideas that provides the basis for organized political action. While political theory is a broader academic field involving the study of concepts like justice and power, ideology is often viewed as a subset or a practical application of these theories. The statement in option D is considered incorrect in this context because many scholars argue that ideology and theory are deeply intertwined and often overlap in their conceptual foundations.

Individualism posits that the individual is the best judge of their own needs, desires, and interests. This perspective rejects the notion that the state or any collective body possesses superior knowledge regarding what is best for a person. By prioritizing individual autonomy and self-reliance, this theory argues that personal freedom is essential for human development and that state interference should be kept to an absolute minimum to allow individuals to pursue their own goals.

In political theory, the state is an abstract, sovereign entity that possesses ultimate authority over a territory. Because the state itself cannot act directly, it requires an instrument to formulate and implement its policies and laws. The government functions as this agency, acting as the operational arm of the state to translate its sovereign will into concrete actions and administrative directives for the society it governs.