Ordinance

noun

/ˈɔːr.dɪ.nəns/

A temporary law promulgated by the executive head of state (the President under Article 123, or a Governor under Article 213) when the legislature is not in session, having the same force as an Act of Parliament but ceasing to operate six weeks after the legislature reassembles.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

When the executive resorts to the ordinance route to bypass a stalled Parliament, it risks converting an emergency provision into a routine instrument of governance, thereby eroding the principle of legislative deliberation that underpins parliamentary democracy.

Synonyms

decreeedictregulationstatuteenactmentby-law

Antonyms

repealabrogationannulment

🌱 Word Family

ordain (v.), ordination (n.), ordinance (n.), ordinances (n. pl.), ordained (adj./v. past)

🔡 Root

Latin ordināre = to put in order, from ordō = row, rank; via Old French ordenance = decree

📜 Etymology

From Middle English ordinaunce, via Old French ordenance ("decree, command"), from Medieval Latin ordinantia, ultimately from Latin ordināre ("to put in order"), from ordō ("row, series, rank").

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "ORDER + -ance": an ordinance is an authoritative ORDER put into force — both share the Latin root ordo, "order, rank". (Do not confuse with "ordnance", meaning military weaponry.)

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2025 — Parliament
Prelims 2018 — Emergency Provisions

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

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

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