Republic

noun

/rɪˈpʌblɪk/

A form of government in which power is held by the people or their elected representatives rather than by a monarch or emperor.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

By adopting the title of a sovereign democratic republic, the framers of the Constitution affirmed that political authority in India flows not from a hereditary crown but from the collective will of its citizens, vested in representatives accountable to the people.

Synonyms

commonwealthdemocracypolityfree staterepresentative government

Antonyms

monarchydictatorshipautocracydespotism

🌱 Word Family

republican (adj/n), republicanism (n), republics (n pl), republicanize (v)

🔡 Root

Latin res publica = public affair; res = thing, matter + publica = of the people; via French republique

📜 Etymology

From Latin res publica ("public affair"), combining res ("thing, matter") and publica ("of the people"); entered English via French republique in the early 17th century.

🧠 Memory Hook

RE-PUBLIC: think "the PUBLIC's thing" - from Latin res publica, where supreme power belongs to the public, not a king.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2021 — Preamble
Mains 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Indian Polity

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

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha (c. 60...

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