Proclamation

noun

/ˌprɒkləˈmeɪʃən/

A formal public announcement or official declaration issued by the President under constitutional authority, such as the proclamation of a National Emergency under Article 352 or President's Rule under Article 356.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

By invoking Article 356, the Union government issues a Proclamation of President's Rule, suspending the elected state machinery — a step the Supreme Court in S.R. Bommai held to be subject to judicial review to guard against political misuse.

Synonyms

declarationannouncementdecreeedictpronouncementpromulgation

Antonyms

suppressionconcealmentretractionrepeal

🌱 Word Family

proclaim (v), proclaimed (adj), proclaimer (n), proclamatory (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin prōclāmāre = to shout forth; prō- = forth; clāmāre = to cry out; via Old French

📜 Etymology

From late Middle English, via Old French from Latin prōclāmātiō, from prōclāmāre ("to shout forth"), from prō- ("forth") + clāmāre ("to cry out").

🧠 Memory Hook

PRO- (forth) + CLAIM (to cry out): think of a herald who steps forth to publicly CLAIM and cry out the king's word — a proclamation is a "crying-out-forth" for all to hear.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2017 — Federalism
Prelims 2014 — Modern India

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

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Emergency Provisions — National, State...

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