Industrialisation

noun (uncountable)

/ɪnˌdʌs.tri.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

The process of social and economic transformation whereby a society shifts from a predominantly agrarian, handicraft-based economy to one dominated by mechanised factory production.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's post-1991 trajectory demonstrates that rapid industrialisation, if pursued without commensurate investment in skilling and environmental safeguards, risks producing jobless growth and ecological debt rather than inclusive prosperity.

Synonyms

mechanisationmodernisationmanufacturing developmentfactory developmentindustrial growth

Antonyms

deindustrialisationagrarianisationdeclinedemanufacturing

🌱 Word Family

industrialise (v), industrial (adj), industrialised (adj), industrialism (n), industrialist (n)

🔡 Root

Latin industria = diligence, activity; industrial + French -isation suffix; first attested English 1890s

📜 Etymology

From French industrialisation, equivalent to industrial (from Latin industria, "diligence, activity") plus the suffix -isation; first attested in English in the 1890s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Hear "industry" inside it, rooted in Latin industria "diligence": industrial-IS-ation is the nation-wide DILIGENT shift from farm to factory.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2015 · GS1 · 12.5 marks — World History
Mains 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Agriculture / Economy

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Industrialisation” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Industrial Revolution & American Revol...

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