Dissolution

noun

/ˌdɪs.əˈluː.ʃən/

The formal termination of the Lok Sabha (or a State Legislative Assembly), ending the life of that House and requiring fresh general elections for its reconstitution.

⚠️ UPSC confused pair — don't mix up with Adjournment, Prorogation

Adjournment ends a sitting and lies with the presiding officer; prorogation ends a session by order of the President (Article 85(2)(a)); dissolution ends the life of the Lok Sabha itself — the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved — and pending business lapses.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The President's power to order the dissolution of the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Council of Ministers is a vital safety valve in the parliamentary system, enabling a fresh appeal to the electorate when a government loses its majority or the House becomes incapable of producing a stable executive.

Synonyms

disbandmentterminationbreaking-upabolitionannulmentdisintegration

Antonyms

formationestablishmentconstitutionconsolidation

🌱 Word Family

dissolve (v), dissolved (adj), dissolving (v pres.p), dissolvable (adj), dissolute (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin dis- = apart + solvere = to loosen; dissolūtiō = a loosening apart; French dissolution

📜 Etymology

From Middle English, partly borrowed from French dissolution and partly from Latin dissolūtiōnem (accusative of dissolūtiō), from dissolvere ("to loosen apart"); earliest parliamentary use attested from the mid-1500s.

🧠 Memory Hook

DIS- (apart) + SOLU- (loosen, as in 'solution'/dissolve): think of something being 'loosened apart' until it comes undone — a parliament, partnership or sugar cube all dissolved away.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2025 — Parliament
Prelims 2025 — Parliament
Prelims 2024 — Parliament
Prelims 2024 — Parliament
Prelims 2017 — Federalism

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

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Union Executive — President, Vice-Pres...

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