Transparency

noun

/trænsˈpærənsi/

The principle of openness in governance whereby information about government decisions, processes, and expenditure is freely accessible to public scrutiny.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Genuine transparency in public procurement, reinforced by the Right to Information Act and real-time disclosure on platforms such as GeM, is the surest antidote to the discretionary opacity in which corruption takes root.

Synonyms

opennessaccountabilitycandourfranknessclaritylucidity

Antonyms

opacitysecrecyconcealmentobfuscation

🌱 Word Family

transparent (adj), transparently (adv), transparentness (n), opaque (adj, antonym), transparencies (n pl)

🔡 Root

Latin trans- = through; parēre = to appear; transparēre = to show through; via Medieval Latin trānspārentia

📜 Etymology

From Medieval Latin trānspārentia, from Latin transparēre ("to show through"), from trans- ("through") + parēre ("to appear").

🧠 Memory Hook

Trans- (through) + parere (appear): light, and truth, "appear through" the glass, leaving nothing hidden.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2016 — Banking
Prelims 2012 — Materials Science
Prelims 2011 — Federalism
Mains 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks — Governance
Mains 2024 · GS4 · 10 marks — Probity / Code of Ethics
Mains 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks — Governance
Mains 2019 · GS4 · 20 marks — Ethics in Public Administration

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

🏛️ Governance 📖 Seen in: RTI, e-Governance & Service Delivery —...

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