BharatNotes Ratification
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
India's ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2016 signalled that climate commitments undertaken at international forums had crossed from diplomatic intent into binding domestic obligation, thereby strengthening the credibility of its multilateral engagement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
ratify (v), ratified (adj), ratifying (v pres.p), ratifier (n), ratifiable (adj)
Root
Latin ratus = fixed, established + facere = to make; Medieval Latin ratificātiō = act of making valid
Etymology
From Middle French ratification, from Medieval Latin ratificātiō, from Latin ratus ("fixed, established") + facere ("to make"), literally "to make firm or valid."
Memory Hook
Think "RAT-IFY" = to make RATUS (Latin for 'fixed, valid') — a treaty is "fixed by reckoning" and made firm once both parties RATIFY it. Picture a rubber stamp of approval thumping down to fix the deal in place.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
Approval by State legislatures of a constitutional amendment, required only for the category of amendments that alter the federal structure, and the list is closed and directly examinable: the election of the President and the manner of that election, the extent of the executive power of the Union and the States, the Supreme Court and the High Courts, the distribution of legislative powers between Union and States, any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule, the representation of States in Parliament, and Article 368 itself. Ratification requires resolutions of the legislatures of not less than one half of the States, and three features are worth holding: only a simple majority is needed in each such legislature, no time limit is prescribed within which they must act, and a State cannot withdraw a ratification once given. The rationale is federal consent, so that the Union may not unilaterally rewrite the terms of the federal bargain.
Don’t Confuse It With
Ratification by States is required only for amendments touching the federal structure, so the great majority of amendments need none. A special majority under Article 368 means a majority of the total membership of each House together with two-thirds of those present and voting, and is required for every amendment under that Article. Amendments made by simple majority, such as forming a new State, are enacted under other Articles and fall outside Article 368 altogether. The basic structure doctrine limits what may be amended at all, whatever majority is obtained.
Hindi Meaning
अनुसमर्थन (anusamarthan) or पुष्टि.
Common Questions
- Which amendments require ratification by the States?
- Those affecting the election of the President, the executive power of Union or States, the Supreme Court and High Courts, the distribution of legislative powers, the Seventh Schedule Lists, State representation in Parliament, or Article 368 itself.
- Can a State withdraw its ratification?
- No. Once a State legislature has passed the ratifying resolution it cannot be withdrawn, and no time limit is prescribed for States to act.
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