Surveillance

noun (countable and uncountable)

/sɜːˈveɪ.ləns/

The systematic monitoring of persons, areas, or borders using visual, electronic, or technological means to detect and prevent security threats.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

While digital surveillance can be a legitimate instrument of national security, the absence of a robust data-protection framework and independent judicial oversight risks tilting the balance from a vigilant state towards a surveillance state, eroding the citizen's fundamental right to privacy.

Synonyms

monitoringobservationwatchscrutinyoversightreconnaissance

Antonyms

neglectinattentionoversight (in the sense of overlooking)disregard

🌱 Word Family

surveille (v), surveilled (adj), surveilling (v pres.p), surveiller (n), surveillance-state (n compound)

🔡 Root

French sur- = over + veiller = to watch; Latin vigilāre = to be watchful; -ance = noun suffix

📜 Etymology

From French surveillance ("a watching over"), from surveiller ("to watch over"), from sur- ("over") + veiller ("to watch"), ultimately from Latin vigilāre ("to be watchful").

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it into "sur-" (over, as in "super") + "veiller" (to watch, related to "vigil"): someone keeping a "super vigil" OVER you is conducting surveillance.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2018 · GS4 · 20 marks — Whistleblowing / Civil Disobedience / Privacy Ethics

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

🛡️ Internal Security 📖 Seen in: Border Management — Forces, Challenges...

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