BharatNotes Endemic
adjective (also noun)Usage in a UPSC answer
The persistence of endemic corruption in subordinate bureaucracy cannot be dismissed as a series of isolated lapses; it points to structural incentives that successive administrative reforms have failed to dismantle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
endemism (n), endemicity (n), endemically (adv), endemic (n)
Root
Neo-Latin endēmicus; Greek endēmos = native; en- = in; dēmos = the people
Etymology
From Neo-Latin endēmicus, derived from Greek endēmos ("native"), combining en ("in") and dēmos ("the people"); originally a medical term for diseases constantly present in a locality, later adopted in ecology to describe geographically restricted species.
Memory Hook
EN + DEMOS ("in the people"): something that lives permanently among a people or place — like a species found only there, or corruption that has settled "in the people" of a system. Contrast endemic (always present) with epidemic (a sudden outbreak).
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2023 — Society & Social Issues
- Prelims 2015 — Biodiversity
- Prelims 2014 — Biodiversity
- Prelims 2011 — Biodiversity
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Endemic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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