Regulatory

adjective

/ˈrɛɡjʊlətəri/

Pertaining to the making, monitoring, and enforcement of rules and standards by an authority established to oversee a specific sector — such as TRAI for telecommunications or SEBI for securities markets.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A robust regulatory architecture, insulated from both political interference and corporate capture, is indispensable if India's burgeoning fintech and telecom sectors are to balance rapid innovation with consumer protection.

Synonyms

supervisorygoverningcontrollingadministrativeoversightstatutory

Antonyms

deregulatorylaissez-fairenon-interventionistpermissive

🌱 Word Family

regulate (v), regulation (n), regulator (n), regulated (adj), deregulatory (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin rēgula = a rule, straight piece of wood + -atory; from rēgulāre = to control, direct

📜 Etymology

From Latin rēgula ("a rule, straight piece of wood") + the suffix -atory, from rēgulāre ("to control, direct").

🧠 Memory Hook

Think of a "ruler" (regula = a ruler/straightedge in Latin): a regulatory body lays down the rules and measures whether everyone stays within the line.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2010 — International Organisations
Mains 2024 · GS4 · 20 marks — Ethics in Public Administration
Mains 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Governance
Mains 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks — Governance

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

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Statutory & Regulatory Bodies — Commis...

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