🔢 30 Governance, Ethics, Economy & Society Vocabulary Words for UPSC – Set 2
Introduction:
In UPSC mains, particularly in Essay, GS Paper 2 (Governance), GS Paper 4 (Ethics), and GS1 (Society), using precise and powerful vocabulary can significantly improve your marks. Here are 30 theme-based words curated to refine your articulation and boost your writing quality.
🔹 Thematic Word List – Governance, Ethics, Development, Society & More
| Word | Meaning | Usage in UPSC Context | Related Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accomplice | A person who helps another commit a crime | “A public official found as an accomplice in graft cases must be penalized.” | Governance & Law |
| Accord | An official agreement or treaty | “The Indo-US nuclear accord strengthened strategic ties.” | Governance & Law / Society |
| Adjudicate | To make a formal judgment or decision | “Courts must adjudicate disputes fairly and expeditiously.” | Governance & Law |
| Adjunct | Something added or attached as supplementary | “The Finance Commission acts as an adjunct to federal fiscal arrangements.” | Governance & Law |
| Admonish | To warn or reprimand firmly | “The Speaker admonished members disrupting proceedings.” | Governance & Law |
| Admonitory | Giving or conveying a warning | “The audit report had an admonitory tone against policy violations.” | Governance & Law / Ethics |
| Acquiesce | To accept something reluctantly but without protest | “Officials may acquiesce to unethical practices under pressure.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Adamant | Refusing to be persuaded; firm in opinion | “The activist remained adamant on the need for land rights reforms.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Adherent | Someone who supports a particular idea or leader | “An adherent of Gandhian philosophy advocates non-violence.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Adapt | To adjust or modify suitably | “Civil services must adapt to the dynamic needs of governance.” | Ethics & Integrity |
| Accretion | Gradual growth or increase | “Urban accretion without planning leads to slum proliferation.” | Economy & Development |
| Accrue | To accumulate or receive benefits over time | “Fiscal benefits accrue to states complying with federal norms.” | Economy & Development |
| Acquisitive | Excessively interested in acquiring money or material things | “An acquisitive society leads to unsustainable consumption patterns.” | Economy & Development |
| Acrimony | Bitterness or ill feeling | “Political acrimony undermines governance efficacy.” | Society & Social Justice |
| Acrimonious | Angry and bitter (tone or debate) | “Debates in legislatures often turn acrimonious during policy discussions.” | Society & Social Justice |
| Adage | A traditional saying expressing a common experience | “The adage ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ holds relevance today.” | Society & Culture |
| Acuity | Sharpness of thought, vision, or hearing | “Policy advisors require intellectual acuity to tackle complex issues.” | Science & Innovation |
| Acumen | The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions | “Administrative acumen is vital for successful governance reforms.” | Science & Innovation / Leadership |
| Acute | Severe or intense (problems or situations) | “Acute water scarcity demands urgent intervention.” | Science & Innovation / Environment |
| Accost | To approach and speak aggressively | “Activists were accosted during the protest rally.” | Communication / Essays |
| Acerbic | Sharp and forthright (especially in speech or style) | “The editorial was acerbic in criticizing government apathy.” | Communication / Essays |
| Acrid | Sharp, unpleasant smell | “The acrid fumes from factories exacerbate air pollution.” | Environment / Disasters |
| Addendum | An item of additional material added at the end of a document | “The commission added an addendum clarifying its earlier recommendations.” | Governance / Communication |
| Addle | To confuse or muddle | “Complex policies often addle public understanding.” | CSAT / Essays |
| Addled | Confused or disoriented | “The minister’s addled statement created confusion.” | CSAT / Essays |
| Adept | Very skilled or proficient at something | “Adept handling of disaster management mitigated the crisis.” | Communication / Administration |
| Adequate | Sufficient or acceptable in quantity or quality | “Adequate funding is essential for implementing welfare schemes.” | Governance / Economy |
| Adhesive | Tending to stick firmly | “Social cohesion acts as an adhesive binding diverse communities.” | Society / Culture |
| Actuate | To cause someone to act in a particular way | “Welfare incentives actuate citizens towards responsible behavior.” | Leadership / Innovation |
💡 How to Use These in Essays/Answers
- Use them in essay intros, body paragraphs, or conclusions
e.g., “A resilient society must promote accords of peace rather than acrimony.” - Insert them in GS2 or GS4 answers to show a mature command over issues
e.g., “Ethical leaders must adapt without acquiescing to unethical pressures.” - Use metaphorically to enhance critical thinking in Ethics Paper
e.g., “Social justice acts as an adhesive to bind fragmented societies.”
🎯 Sample Practice
Instruction: Rewrite the following sentences using UPSC-level vocabulary:
- The court made a formal decision.
→ The judiciary adjudicated the dispute impartially. - He accepted the proposal silently.
→ He acquiesced to the decision without resistance. - The journalist’s speech was harsh.
→ The reporter’s remarks had an acerbic tone. - The area suffered from very bad air quality.
→ The environment was marred by acrid pollution. - The solution helped bring people together.
→ The initiative acted as an adhesive fostering social unity.
📄 Download Resources
👉 Click here to download Master Flashcards A31-A60
👉 Click here to download Master Flashcards A1-A30
🔗 Related Thematic Sets:
🚀 Final Tip:
In UPSC, vocabulary should serve clarity and articulation, not ornamentation. Integrating 3–4 strong words per page significantly improves the perception of analytical depth and maturity in your writing.
Stay articulate,
Team Howdybuzz
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