BharatNotes Sovereignty
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
While the Constitution vests sovereignty in "We, the People," India's federal design distributes its exercise between the Union and the States, demonstrating that sovereignty can be shared in practice even as it remains indivisible in principle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
sovereign (n/adj), sovereignly (adv), sovereignize (v, rare), co-sovereignty (n)
Root
Old French soverainete → Latin super = above; soverain = supreme; -té/-ty = abstract noun suffix
Etymology
From Old French soverainete, from soverain ("supreme"), based on Latin super ("above"); recorded in English from the 14th century.
Memory Hook
Think "SOVEREIGN" = one who reigns SUPER (above) all — Latin super, "above." The sovereign sits above every other authority, owing allegiance to none.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Mains 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks — Indian Polity
- Mains 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Security / Science & Technology
- Mains 2013 · GS3 · 10 marks — Security / Economy
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Sovereignty” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation
