Insurgency

noun (plural insurgencies)

/ɪnˈsɜːrdʒənsi/

An organised armed revolt against an established government or authority, typically carried out by non-state actors who are not recognised as belligerents, falling short of a full-scale revolution.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's response to left-wing insurgency in the so-called Red Corridor has gradually shifted from a purely security-centric approach to a development-and-rights paradigm, recognising that durable peace demands the redress of tribal land alienation and chronic governance deficits, not firepower alone.

Synonyms

rebellionuprisingrevoltinsurrectionmutinysedition

Antonyms

obedienceallegianceloyaltysubmission

🌱 Word Family

insurgent (n/adj), insurrection (n), surge (v/n), resurge (v), resurgent (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin insurgere = to rise up against; in- = against; surgere = to rise

📜 Etymology

From Latin insurgere ("to rise up against"), combining in- ("against") + surgere ("to rise"); the noun form entered English in 1798 from insurgent + -cy; in the Indian context, it is most commonly associated with separatist movements in North-East India.

🧠 Memory Hook

In-SURGE-ncy: a "surge" rising up (surgere = "to rise") against the state from within.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2022 — Internal Security
Mains 2019 · GS3 · 10 marks — Internal Security
Mains 2017 · GS3 · 10 marks — Security

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

🛡️ Internal Security 📖 Seen in: Internal Security — Threats, Cyber Sec...

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