BharatNotes Mandate
noun; verb (transitive)Usage in a UPSC answer
A thumping parliamentary majority confers a clear mandate to legislate, but a government that mistakes electoral arithmetic for a licence to bypass deliberation soon discovers that the popular mandate is a trust to be exercised, not a blank cheque to be cashed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
mandatory (adj), mandator (n), mandated (adj), mandating (v pres.p), mandatary (n)
Root
Latin mandātum = charge, order; mandāre = to commit to one's charge; manus = hand + -dere = to put
Etymology
From Latin mandātum ("a charge, order, command"), from mandāre ("to commit to one's charge"), literally "to put into one's hands," from manus ("hand") + -dere ("to put"); first attested in English in 1521.
Memory Hook
From Latin manus ('hand') + dare ('to give') — a mandate is authority placed 'into your hand' by voters or a superior; think of the elected leader being 'handed' the command to act.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2025 — Internal Security
- Prelims 2025 — Internal Security
- Prelims 2010 — International Organisations
- Mains 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — International Relations
- Mains 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks — International Relations
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Mandate” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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