APPSC Group-I key terms

A South Indian temple building style marked by a tall pyramidal gateway tower called a gopuram, pillared halls, and enclosed precincts. It flourished under Chola, Chalukya and Vijayanagara patrons, including many temples in Andhra Pradesh.

The monumental entrance gateway tower of a South Indian temple, usually pyramidal and richly carved, rising above the compound wall. Its height and ornamentation often signal the importance of the shrine within.

An ancient ruling house that controlled large parts of the Deccan, including coastal Andhra, from roughly the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. It patronised Prakrit literature and early Buddhist art.

A ruling family that succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna river valley around the 3rd century CE, with its centre at Vijayapuri. It is known for generous patronage of Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

A large ancient Buddhist stupa on the banks of the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh, famed for its carved limestone panels. Its sculpture is a key example of early South Indian Buddhist art.

A powerful South Indian empire from the 14th to 17th centuries centred at Hampi, which ruled much of Andhra Pradesh. It left strong marks on temple architecture, literature and administrative practice.

The eight celebrated Telugu poets honoured in the court of the Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya. Their works helped establish Telugu literary prestige and are a landmark of Andhra cultural history.

A Dravidian language spoken mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with a literary record going back many centuries. It is one of India's classical languages and a central marker of Andhra identity.

The principle that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a way that destroys its essential features, such as judicial review or federalism. It was laid down in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973.

The power of courts to examine laws and executive actions and declare them invalid if they violate the Constitution. It is a core feature of Indian constitutionalism and part of the basic structure.

A formal application asking a High Court or the Supreme Court to issue a constitutional remedy for violation of fundamental rights or other legal wrongs. It can be filed by an affected person or, in public interest, by any citizen.

A legal route allowing any person or group to approach a court on behalf of those unable to do so, such as the poor or a harmed community. Courts relax ordinary procedural rules to hear such cases.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Constitution directing governments to promote welfare, equality and social justice. They are not directly enforceable in court but are fundamental to governance and law-making.

A set of basic freedoms guaranteed to individuals by Part III of the Constitution, including equality, speech, religion and life. They are enforceable against the state through the courts.

The process under Article 368 by which Parliament changes the Constitution, requiring special majorities and, for federal provisions, ratification by half the states. It is subject to the basic structure limit.

A system in which power is shared between a national government and states, each with defined spheres of authority. Indian federalism has a strong central tilt, with states retaining significant autonomy.

A constitutional body constituted every five years to recommend how central tax revenue is shared with states and how grants-in-aid are given. It shapes fiscal relations between the Union and states.

The gap between a government's total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings. It measures how much the government must borrow in a year to fund its spending.

A 2003 law that sets targets for reducing government deficits and debt, aiming at long-term fiscal discipline. States have similar laws that constrain their borrowing.

A mid-20th-century push to raise farm output through high-yielding seed varieties, fertilisers and irrigation. It made India self-sufficient in food grains and transformed farming in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Reliable access for all people to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active life. In India it is pursued through buffer stocks, the public distribution system and procurement at minimum support prices.

A price at which the government promises to buy a crop from farmers, protecting them from sharp market falls. It is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

The artificial supply of water to farmland through canals, tanks, wells or sprinklers. It raises yields and reduces dependence on rainfall, and is a major policy focus in Andhra Pradesh.

Planning and conserving land and water within a natural drainage area to raise groundwater, reduce soil erosion and improve farm productivity. It is widely used in dry regions of Andhra Pradesh.

A seasonal reversal of winds that brings heavy rain, dominating India's climate. The southwest monsoon provides most annual rainfall, while the northeast monsoon is important for coastal Andhra Pradesh.

A rotating storm system with strong winds and heavy rain that forms over warm seas. The Bay of Bengal coast, including Andhra Pradesh, is frequently hit, making early warning and shelters vital.

The recurring phases of preparing for, responding to, recovering from and reducing the risk of disasters. Indian policy stresses prevention and mitigation rather than relief alone.

A global agreement adopted in 2015 to reduce disaster risk and losses over fifteen years. It emphasises understanding risk, strengthening governance and investing in resilience.

A region with exceptionally high numbers of species found nowhere else, under serious threat of habitat loss. The Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats are recognised among India's key biodiversity areas.

The benefits people obtain from nature, such as clean water, pollination, flood control and fertile soil. Valuing them helps justify conservation in policy and project decisions.

The study and practice of moral principles that guide right conduct and decision-making. In public service it involves honesty, fairness, accountability and respect for the public good.

Consistency between stated values and actual behaviour, especially when no one is watching. For officials it means refusing corruption and acting on principle even under pressure.

A situation where a person's private interests could improperly influence their official decisions. Managing it requires disclosure, recusal or divestment rather than mere good intentions.

The fair distribution of opportunities, resources and rights so that disadvantaged groups can participate fully in society. It underpins reservation, welfare and anti-discrimination policies in India.

Policies that give preference or support to groups facing historical discrimination, to correct persistent disadvantage. In India it includes reservations in education, jobs and legislatures.

A composite measure of average achievement in health, education and living standards across countries. It shifts attention from income alone to people's wellbeing and capabilities.

Computer systems that perform tasks normally needing human intelligence, such as learning, language and pattern recognition. Its governance raises questions of bias, privacy and accountability.

Safeguards governing how personal information is collected, stored, used and shared. India's legal framework aims to give individuals control over their data while enabling legitimate use.