UPSC CSE Vocabulary
Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination
Master the top 100 vocabulary words for UPSC CSE Mains answer writing. Polity, economy, ecology, and ethics register with precise definitions and usage examples.
Start LearningAbout Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination
UPSC Civil Services Examination selects officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A services through Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages. The Mains stage includes Essay, General Studies, and qualifying language papers.
Exam Sections
Preliminary Examination
Mains Examination
Personality Test
Why Vocabulary Matters
CSE has no direct vocabulary section, so every word here earns its place through Essay register, Precis Writing and Comprehension papers, the compulsory English paper, and GS answer writing. Precise domain vocabulary separates average answers from top scoring ones.
Essential Vocabulary Words
Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your UPSC CSE exam
sovereignty
nounSupreme authority of a state
Example: Sovereignty rests with the people.
federalism
nounDivision of power between centre and states
Example: Federalism shapes GST debates.
secularism
nounSeparation of religion from state affairs
Example: Secularism guides Indian policy.
decentralization
nounTransfer of power to local bodies
Example: Decentralization empowers panchayats.
accountability
nounDuty to answer for actions
Example: Audits enforce accountability.
transparency
nounOpenness in decisions and processes
Example: RTI advanced transparency.
inclusivity
nounPractice of including all groups
Example: Inclusivity drives welfare design.
egalitarian
adjectiveBelieving in equal rights for all
Example: An egalitarian ethos informs policy.
authoritarian
adjectiveDemanding total obedience to power
Example: Authoritarian turns alarm scholars.
diplomacy
nounManagement of relations between states
Example: Quiet diplomacy resolved the strait.
bilateral
adjectiveInvolving two nations or parties
Example: Bilateral trade crossed new highs.
multilateral
adjectiveInvolving three or more nations
Example: Multilateral forums set norms.
embargo
nounOfficial ban on trade
Example: The embargo squeezed fuel supply.
austerity
nounStrict limits on public spending
Example: Austerity shrank welfare budgets.
subsidy
nounGovernment grant lowering costs
Example: Fertilizer subsidies aid farmers.
welfare
nounWellbeing support by the state
Example: Welfare schemes reach crores.
emancipation
nounFreedom from restraints
Example: Education aided Dalit emancipation.
suffrage
nounThe right to vote
Example: Universal suffrage defines democracy.
colonialism
nounControl of one country over another
Example: Colonialism drained local crafts.
imperialism
nounExpansion of power through control
Example: Imperialism redrew old maps.
nationalism
nounPride and devotion to the nation
Example: Nationalism fueled the freedom drive.
renaissance
nounRevival of art and learning
Example: The Bhakti era saw a renaissance.
sustainability
nounMeeting needs without harming future
Example: Sustainability guides new missions.
biodiversity
nounVariety of life in a habitat
Example: Forests guard rich biodiversity.
indigenous
adjectiveNative to a place
Example: Indigenous seeds suit dry zones.
drought
nounLong period without rain
Example: Drought hit thirteen districts.
famine
nounExtreme scarcity of food
Example: The famine spurred relief codes.
epidemic
nounWidespread outbreak of disease
Example: The epidemic tested hospitals.
sanitation
nounClean water and waste systems
Example: Sanitation missions cut disease.
literacy
nounAbility to read and write
Example: Female literacy keeps rising.
mortality
nounDeath rate in a population
Example: Infant mortality fell sharply.
demographic
adjectiveRelating to population structure
Example: A young demographic aids growth.
dividend
nounBenefit earned from an asset
Example: The demographic dividend needs jobs.
stratification
nounLayering of society into classes
Example: Caste deepened stratification.
urbanization
nounGrowth of towns and cities
Example: Rapid urbanization strains water.
marginalization
nounPushing groups to society edges
Example: Tribals face marginalization.
vulnerable
adjectiveOpen to harm or attack
Example: Coastal poor stay vulnerable.
rhetoric
nounPersuasive but hollow speech
Example: Campaign rhetoric outran facts.
discourse
nounFormal discussion of a subject
Example: Policy discourse shifted online.
dichotomy
nounSplit into two opposed parts
Example: Growth versus equity is a dichotomy.
accord
nounFormal agreement between parties
Example: The border accord held firm.
dissent
nounDisagreement with official views
Example: The judge wrote a dissent.
turmoil
nounViolent disturbance or unrest
Example: Markets feared fresh turmoil.
upheaval
nounSudden violent change
Example: Partition caused vast upheaval.
resurgence
nounRevival after decline
Example: Khadi saw a resurgence.
doctrine
nounSet principles of a faith or state
Example: The doctrine guides courts.
dogma
nounBelief imposed as undoubted truth
Example: The movement shed old dogma.
ideology
nounSystem of ideas behind politics
Example: Party ideology shaped budgets.
hegemony
nounDominance of one power
Example: Naval hegemony shifted east.
autonomy
nounRight of self government
Example: Campus autonomy widened slowly.
secession
nounWithdrawal from a union
Example: The secession debate resurfaced.
insurgency
nounArmed rebellion against authority
Example: The insurgency ebbed by 2012.
ceasefire
nounAgreed halt in fighting
Example: The ceasefire held for months.
referendum
nounDirect public vote on an issue
Example: The referendum settled the merger.
coalition
nounAlliance forming a government
Example: The coalition completed its term.
mandate
nounAuthority given by voters
Example: The mandate favored reform.
bureaucracy
nounAdministration through officials
Example: Bureaucracy slowed the rollout.
judiciary
nounThe court system of a state
Example: An active judiciary checked excess.
legislature
nounBody that makes laws
Example: The legislature passed the bill.
preamble
nounOpening statement of values
Example: The Preamble promises justice.
Honesty and moral wholeness
Example: Integrity anchors civil service conduct.
Guided by results, not dogma
Example: A pragmatic policy survived change.
vigilant
adjectiveWatchful against danger
Example: Vigilant regulators curbed fraud.
Judging keenly and wisely
Example: A perspicacious report flagged risks.
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