Ultra Vires

adjective/adverb (Latin legal phrase); also used predicatively

/ˌʌltrə ˈvaɪərɪz/

Beyond the powers; acts or legislation that exceed the legal authority of the person or body that performed or enacted them. In Indian constitutional law, a legislative act is ultra vires if it falls outside the competence of the enacting legislature (Seventh Schedule violation), violates fundamental rights (Article 13), or transgresses constitutional provisions. An administrative action is ultra vires if it exceeds statutory authority or violates natural justice. The opposite is intra vires (within powers).

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Allahabad High Court declared the state government's notification ultra vires the parent statute, finding that the delegated authority extended only to prescribing procedures, not to altering substantive rights, which required primary legislation.

Synonyms

beyond powersunconstitutionalwithout authorityillegalunauthorised

Antonyms

intra vireswithin authorityconstitutionallawfulcompetent

🌱 Word Family

intra vires (antonym phrase), vires (noun, rarely used alone), ultra (prefix in ultraviolet, ultrasonic), virile (cognate adjective)

🔡 Root

Latin ultra (beyond) + vires (plural of vis = strength, power, force)

📜 Etymology

Direct Latin: ultra (beyond, on the other side of) and vires (powers), the plural of vis (strength, force, legal power). Used in Roman private law; entered English corporate and constitutional law in the 19th century, notably in the company law context after Ashbury Railway Carriage v. Riche (1875, UK HL).

🧠 Memory Hook

ULTRA = beyond (ultraviolet = beyond violet). VIRES = powers (vis = force). ULTRA VIRES = beyond powers. Imagine a car speedometer: the red zone is ULTRA the limit. An ultra vires act is in the constitutional red zone — beyond the speed limit of legal power.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Preamble of the Indian Constitution

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