Swadeshi

noun (uncountable; often used attributively); also adjective

/swəˈdeɪʃi/

A policy of nationalist self-sufficiency in India, involving the promotion of indigenous production and the boycott of foreign (especially British) goods as a means of economic resistance against colonial rule.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The contemporary "Vocal for Local" and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns consciously echo the Swadeshi ethos of the freedom struggle, seeking to convert economic nationalism from a sentiment of protest into a sustained strategy of indigenous capacity-building and supply-chain resilience.

Synonyms

indigenoushome-madenativeself-reliantautochthonouslocally-produced

Antonyms

foreignimportedvideshialien

🌱 Word Family

Swadeshi (n/adj), swadeshism (n), swadeshi-movement (n compound), svadeśī (Sanskrit adj)

🔡 Root

Sanskrit sva = one's own + deśa = country + -ī = adjectival suffix; literally "of one's own country"

📜 Etymology

From Hindi svadeśī, from Sanskrit sva ("one's own") + deśa ("country") + -ī (adjective suffix), literally meaning "of one's own country."

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it as "swa-deshi": sva = "self/own" + desh = "country" — your OWN COUNTRY's goods. Think of the freedom-era cry to burn foreign cloth and wear khadi: self + nation = Swadeshi.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2021 — Modern India
Prelims 2016 — Modern India
Prelims 2010 — Modern India

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

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Extremists & Swadeshi Movement (1905–1...

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