BharatNotes Insurgency
noun (plural insurgencies)Usage in a UPSC answer
India's response to left-wing insurgency in the so-called Red Corridor has gradually shifted from a purely security-centric approach to a development-and-rights paradigm, recognising that durable peace demands the redress of tribal land alienation and chronic governance deficits, not firepower alone.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
insurgent (n/adj), insurrection (n), surge (v/n), resurge (v), resurgent (adj)
Root
Latin insurgere = to rise up against; in- = against; surgere = to rise
Etymology
From Latin insurgere ("to rise up against"), combining in- ("against") + surgere ("to rise"); the noun form entered English in 1798 from insurgent + -cy; in the Indian context, it is most commonly associated with separatist movements in North-East India.
Memory Hook
In-SURGE-ncy: a "surge" rising up (surgere = "to rise") against the state from within.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
An organised armed movement seeking to overthrow a government or secede from the State, drawing on some measure of popular support. The definitional feature to state in GS3 is that support base, since it is what distinguishes an insurgency from a criminal armed group and what determines that the response must be political as well as military.
Don’t Confuse It With
Insurgency is an organised armed challenge to State authority with a support base. Terrorism is a tactic of violence against non-combatants for political effect, which insurgents may use. Rebellion is a broader term for armed resistance. Secessionism is a specific goal of separation, which an insurgency may or may not pursue.
Hindi Meaning
विद्रोह (vidroh) or उग्रवाद (ugravād), the latter common in Indian official usage.
Common Questions
- What is an insurgency?
- An organised armed movement that seeks to overthrow a government or separate from the State, and that draws on some degree of popular support.
- How is an insurgency different from terrorism?
- Insurgency describes an armed movement with political objectives and a support base. Terrorism describes a tactic of violence against non-combatants, which insurgents may also employ.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2022 — Internal Security
- Mains 2019 · GS3 · 10 marks — Internal Security
- Mains 2017 · GS3 · 10 marks — Security
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Insurgency” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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