Affirmative Action

noun (uncountable)

/əˈfɜːmətɪv ˈækʃən/

Positive discrimination or proactive measures taken by the state to improve the representation of historically disadvantaged groups in employment, education, or public life. In India, affirmative action finds constitutional expression in Articles 15(4), 15(5), and 16(4), enabling reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs; the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) capped reservations at 50% and excluded the 'creamy layer' from OBC benefits.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The 103rd Constitutional Amendment extending 10% EWS reservation revived the debate on whether affirmative action in India should address economic deprivation independently of caste-based historical disadvantage.

Synonyms

positive discriminationreservation policycompensatory discriminationprotective discrimination

Antonyms

merit-only selectioncolour-blindnessequal treatment without differentiation

🌱 Word Family

affirmative (adjective), affirm (verb), affirmation (noun), affirmatively (adverb)

🔡 Root

Latin affirmare (to make firm) + Latin actio (a doing) ← agere (to drive, to do)

📜 Etymology

The phrase emerged in American political discourse following US Executive Order 10925 (1961) under President Kennedy, combining Latin affirmare (assert positively) with actio (action, legal proceeding). Adopted globally to describe compensatory state policies addressing structural inequality.

🧠 Memory Hook

AFFIRMATIVE = AFFIRM + ACTIVE: the state actively affirms the rights of the marginalised instead of passively watching. Visualise a hand lifting up a suppressed group.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2011 — Public Finance & Fiscal Policy
Mains 2024 · GS1 · 15 marks — Indian Society

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

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Preamble of the Indian Constitution

Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation