Equity

noun

/ˈɛk.wɪ.ti/

The ownership interest in a company represented by shares of stock, or more broadly, the residual value of an asset after deducting all liabilities associated with it.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A truly inclusive welfare state is built not on formal equality alone but on equity — directing greater public resources towards historically marginalised communities so that the promise of equal opportunity becomes substantive rather than merely notional.

Synonyms

fairnessimpartialityjusticeeven-handednessequitablenessfair-mindedness

Antonyms

inequityinjusticeunfairnesspartiality

🌱 Word Family

equitable (adj), equitably (adv), inequity (n), equities (n pl)

🔡 Root

Latin aequitās = fairness, equality; aequus = even, fair; Old French equité; entered English c. 1315

📜 Etymology

From Middle English equitee, from Old French equité, from Latin aequitās ("fairness, equality"), from aequus ("even, fair"); entered English around 1315.

🧠 Memory Hook

From Latin aequus "equal" (same root as "equal" and "equator"). Equity = treating the scales as EQUAL in fairness — but tilting resources so each side ends up balanced.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2020 — International Trade
Prelims 2014 — Five Year Plans & NITI Aayog
Prelims 2012 — External Sector
Mains 2024 · GS1 · 15 marks — Indian Society
Mains 2024 · GS1 · 10 marks — Indian Society
Mains 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks — Indian Polity
Mains 2020 · GS3 · 10 marks — Indian Economy

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

💰 Indian Economy 📖 Seen in: Capital Markets, Insurance & Financial...

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