Autonomous

adjective

/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/

Having the power or right of self-governance, free from external control — used to describe constitutional bodies that function independently of the executive.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Genuine cooperative federalism demands that States function as autonomous units of governance, free to legislate within their constitutional domain rather than as mere administrative agents of the Union.

Synonyms

self-governingindependentsovereignself-determiningself-rulingfree

Antonyms

dependentsubordinatesubjectheteronomous

🌱 Word Family

autonomy (n), autonomous (adj), autonomously (adv), autonomies (n pl), semi-autonomous (adj)

🔡 Root

Greek autos (self) + nomos (law) → autonomos (self-legislating).

📜 Etymology

From Greek autonomos, from autos ("self") + nomos ("law"), literally meaning "self-legislating."

🧠 Memory Hook

Auto- ('self', as in automobile) + -nomous ('law', as in economy's nomos): one who makes their OWN laws — self-ruling.

📝 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.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Constitutional Bodies — ECI, CAG, UPSC...

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