Injunction

noun (countable)

/ɪnˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

A judicial order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act. Injunctions may be temporary/interlocutory (pending final disposal), mandatory (compelling an act), or prohibitory (restraining an act). Under the Specific Relief Act, 1963, Indian courts grant injunctions; constitutional courts may also grant injunctions in exercise of writ jurisdiction. The Anti-Defection Law case (Subhash Desai v. Principal Secretary, 2023) involved Supreme Court injunctions against floor-test.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Supreme Court granted an interim injunction restraining the state government from demolishing the heritage structure, holding that irreparable harm would result if demolition proceeded before the writ petition was heard on merits.

Synonyms

restraining ordercourt orderprohibitionwritstay orderdecree

Antonyms

permissionauthorisationdissolution of stayvacating of order

🌱 Word Family

injunct (verb, rare), injunctive (adjective), enjoin (verb), conjunction (cognate noun), junction (cognate noun)

🔡 Root

Latin injunctio ← injungere (to enjoin) ← in- (upon) + jungere (to join, to impose)

📜 Etymology

From Latin injunctio (an enjoining), the noun of action from injungere (to impose upon, to fasten upon). Related to jugum (yoke) and conjugate. Entered English legal vocabulary in the 16th century through Chancery practice.

🧠 Memory Hook

INJUNCTION = IN-JUNCTION: a junction (joining point) where the court steps IN to stop or compel action. Think of a railway junction where the court's order acts as a signal — it either stops or routes the train.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2020 · GS4 · 10 marks — Ethics and Human Interface

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

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Preamble of the Indian Constitution

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