BharatNotes Discretionary
adjective (also occasionally adverb in technical/legal usage)Usage in a UPSC answer
Because welfare schemes vest officials with wide discretionary powers over beneficiary selection, the absence of transparent criteria invites both arbitrariness and rent-seeking, underscoring the need for codified guidelines that confine administrative discretion within the bounds of natural justice.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
discretion (n), discretionary (adj), indiscretion (n), indiscrete (adj), discern (v)
Root
Latin discrētiō = separation, discernment; dis- = apart + cernere = to sift; -ary = relating to
Etymology
From Latin discrētiō ("separation, discernment"), from the past participle of discernere ("to separate, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + cernere ("to sift"); entered English via Middle English dyscrecyounne in the 14th century.
Memory Hook
Hear "discretion" inside it: a discretionary power is one left to your discretion (your judgement) — the cashier keeps a "discretion-ary" of funds to spend as she sees fit.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
Exercised on personal judgment rather than on binding ministerial advice, and the Governor's position is the examinable one because the contrast with the President is sharp. Article 163(1) requires the Governor to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers except where he is required to act in his discretion, and Article 163(2) makes the Governor's own determination of what falls within that discretion final and not open to question, a latitude the President does not enjoy, since Article 74 after the 42nd and 44th Amendments makes ministerial advice binding subject only to one reconsideration. The recognised areas are reserving a bill for the President's consideration, recommending President's Rule, acting as administrator of an adjoining Union Territory, and situationally appointing a Chief Minister where no party commands a clear majority or dismissing a government that has lost confidence. The Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions both recommended codifying the appointment discretion, precisely because it is the most contested.
Don’t Confuse It With
Discretionary power is exercised on the holder's own judgment, whereas ordinary executive power follows binding ministerial advice. The Governor under Article 163 has genuine discretion and is the sole judge of its extent, while the President under Article 74 is bound by advice subject to one reconsideration, so the two offices are not parallel. Situational discretion arises from circumstances such as a hung assembly rather than from any express provision. The Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions both urged codification of its exercise.
Hindi Meaning
विवेकाधीन (vivekādhīn); राज्यपाल (rājyapāl) for the Governor.
Common Questions
- How does the Governor's discretion differ from the President's position?
- The Governor has genuine discretion and Article 163(2) makes him the sole judge of its extent, whereas the President is bound by ministerial advice subject only to one reconsideration.
- What are the Governor's discretionary functions?
- Reserving a bill for the President, recommending President's Rule, administering an adjoining Union Territory, and situationally appointing a Chief Minister or dismissing a government that has lost confidence.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2014 — State Government
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Discretionary” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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