Disparity

noun (countable and uncountable); plural disparities

/dɪˈspærəti/

A noticeable and usually unfair difference between two or more things, especially in level, treatment, or status; the condition of being markedly unequal.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The widening disparity between India's prosperous urban centres and its lagging rural hinterland underscores the need for inclusive, region-sensitive development planning if the constitutional promise of social and economic justice is to be realised.

Synonyms

inequalitydisproportionimbalanceincongruitygapdivergence

Antonyms

parityequalitysimilarityequivalence

🌱 Word Family

disparate (adj), disparately (adv), disparateness (n), disparities (n pl), parity (n)

🔡 Root

Latin dis- = not, apart + paritas = parity; par = equal; Middle French disparité

📜 Etymology

Mid-16th century, from Middle French disparité, from Late/Medieval Latin disparitas 'inequality', from dis- 'not, apart' + paritas 'parity', from Latin par 'equal'.

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it as DIS + PARITY: "dis-" (not) plus "parity" (equality) — so disparity is literally "NOT parity," i.e. unequalness.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2024 · GS1 · 15 marks — Indian Society

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

👥 Society 📖 Seen in: Indian Society — Diversity, Demographi...

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