🔢 30 Thematic Vocabulary Words for UPSC Essays & Mains – Set 1
Introduction:
In UPSC Mains, particularly in Essay, GS Paper 2 (Governance), and Ethics (GS Paper 4), the use of powerful, context-rich vocabulary can significantly elevate your answer quality. Here are 30 theme-based words that can enhance your articulation and presentation.
🔹 Thematic Word List – Governance, Ethics, Social Justice, Economy, and More
| Word | Meaning | Usage in UPSC Context | Related Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrogate | To repeal or do away with a law | “The government decided to abrogate the outdated legislation.” | Governance & Law |
| Accede | To agree to a demand or treaty | “India acceded to the Paris Agreement in pursuit of climate action.” | Governance & Law |
| Abet | To assist in wrongdoing | “Those who abet corruption must face legal consequences.” | Governance & Law |
| Abeyance | A state of temporary disuse or suspension | “The bill remains in abeyance due to lack of consensus.” | Governance & Law |
| Abscond | To leave secretly, often to avoid arrest | “The accused absconded before the trial commenced.” | Governance & Law |
| Absolution | Formal release from guilt or punishment | “The judiciary must ensure justice, not merely grant absolution.” | Governance & Law / Ethics |
| Absolve | To declare someone free from blame or guilt | “Whistleblowers must be absolved when acting in public interest.” | Governance & Law / Ethics |
| Abnegate | To deny or renounce oneself from pleasures | “Civil servants must abnegate personal biases while implementing policies.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Abnegation | The act of self-sacrifice | “Gandhiji’s life was one of abnegation and service.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Abstain | To choose not to do something | “MPs may abstain from voting as a political stance.” | Ethics & Integrity / Governance |
| Abstemious | Practicing self-discipline or moderation | “Leaders admired for their abstemious lifestyle earn public trust.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Abjure | To solemnly renounce a belief | “Public servants must abjure favoritism and uphold impartiality.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Abhor | To regard with strong moral dislike | “Citizens abhor any form of injustice or corruption.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Abject | Extremely bad or severe (conditions) | “Abject poverty continues to plague rural India.” | Social Issues & Welfare |
| Abysmal | Extremely bad or appalling | “The abysmal state of sanitation in urban slums calls for urgent action.” | Social Issues & Welfare |
| Abundant | Existing in large quantities | “Despite abundant resources, distribution remains unequal.” | Social Issues / Economy |
| Accessible | Easy to reach, use, or understand | “Healthcare must be accessible to all citizens.” | Social Issues / S&T / Education |
| Accommodate | To provide space or adapt to differences | “Policies must accommodate the needs of marginalized communities.” | Social Issues & Welfare |
| Accelerate | To increase in speed or urgency | “The government must accelerate efforts to achieve SDGs by 2030.” | Economy & Development |
| Abstract | Existing as an idea, not a concrete reality | “Economic justice often remains an abstract concept without proper mechanisms.” | Economy / Education / GS2 |
| Accentuate | To make more noticeable or prominent | “The Economic Survey accentuates the role of digital infrastructure.” | Economy / Policy |
| Abbreviate | To shorten a word or phrase | “Technical terms are often abbreviated for ease of communication.” | Education / S&T |
| Abstruse | Difficult to understand or obscure | “The NEP attempts to simplify abstruse academic content for better learning.” | S&T / Education / Ethics |
| Abate | To reduce in intensity | “The cyclone’s impact abated by the evening, thanks to early warning systems.” | General / Environment |
| Aberrant | Deviating from the norm | “Aberrant political behavior can destabilize institutions.” | General / Ethics / Polity |
| Aberration | A deviation from what is normal or expected | “The communal riots were an aberration in an otherwise peaceful democracy.” | General / Ethics |
| Ablution(s) | Ritual washing or cleansing | “Ablutions form a core part of religious and cultural practices.” | Indian Culture / GS1 |
| Accolade | An award or expression of praise | “The scheme won accolades for promoting transparency.” | Governance / Ethics |
| Absurd | Wildly unreasonable or illogical | “The argument to curb dissent in the name of unity is absurd.” | General / Critical Analysis |
💡 How to Use These in Essays/Answers
- Integrate as part of essay intros or conclusions
e.g., “In a resilient democracy, governance must be rooted in inclusivity and probity…” - Use in GS2 answers
e.g., “A transparent governance model must abrogate archaic laws and accentuate accountability.” - Add to Ethics paper definitions and case studies
e.g., “Abnegation is essential when a civil servant must choose duty over personal gain.”
🎯 Sample Practice
Instruction: Rewrite the following sentences using UPSC-level vocabulary.
- The government cancelled the outdated law.
→ The administration abrogated the obsolete regulation. - Many people suffer in extreme poverty.
→ A large segment of society lives in abject conditions. - The leader gave up his luxurious lifestyle.
→ The statesman chose abnegation over indulgence. - The authorities are trying to reduce the flood’s impact.
→ The administration is striving to abate the impact of the deluge. - The system is very unfair and unreasonable.
→ The framework is marred by absurd inconsistencies.
📄 PDF + Flashcards
🚀 Final Tip:
UPSC values clarity, precision, and richness in language. These words should be used to elevate clarity, not complicate answers. Practice writing answers using 3–4 of these words per page.
Stay articulate,
Team Howdybuzz
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