BharatNotes Autonomous
adjectiveUsage in a UPSC answer
India's cautious stance at the UN Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems reflects a sovereign calculus that autonomous military platforms must remain subject to human oversight, lest the delegation of lethal force to algorithms erode the laws of armed conflict.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
autonomy (n), autonomous (adj), autonomously (adv), autonomisation (n), semi-autonomous (adj)
Root
Greek auto- = self; Greek nomos = law, custom, rule — hence 'self-governing'
Etymology
From Greek autonomia ('independence'), formed from auto- ('self') and nomos ('law'). First used in English in the 17th century in political philosophy to describe self-governing city-states; transferred to biology in the 19th century (autonomous nervous system), and to technology and robotics from the 20th century.
Memory Hook
AUTO-NOMOS: auto = self (as in autobiography) + nomos = law (as in astronomy — the law of stars). An autonomous entity makes its own laws for itself — it is its own boss. Picture a self-driving car ignoring the human in the passenger seat.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2013 — Governance & Tribal Welfare
- Mains 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Governance
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Autonomous” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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