An instrument for exercise of power for controlling, administering and managing the affairs of people based on laws is the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for an instrument (a tool or machinery) used to exercise power in controlling, administering and managing people's affairs, based on laws.

Step 2: Explain the concept In Government as a subject, the key terms are:

• State: a political community with a defined territory, population, sovereignty and government. It is the entity itself.
• Government: the machinery or agency through which the state expresses its will, makes and enforces laws, and administers the affairs of the people.
• Executive, Judiciary and Civil Service: these are organs or parts of government. Each performs only one function (the executive implements laws, the judiciary interprets them, and the civil service assists the executive).

Step 3: Apply to the options

• A. Civil service: only helps the executive carry out policies. It is too narrow.
• B. Executive: only one arm, which implements laws. It does not make or interpret them.
• C. Government: the overall instrument or machinery through which the state exercises power to control, administer and manage people according to law. This fits the definition.
• D. Judiciary: only interprets laws and settles disputes. It is too narrow.
• E. State: the state is the political entity that possesses sovereignty. Government is the instrument by which the state acts.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. Government.

Tip: Remember the distinction: State = the body, Government = the tool. If a question says "agency," "machinery" or "instrument" of the state, the answer is usually government. If it talks about sovereignty, territory and population, think state.