The Hindu Editorial (Choosing the watchdog) – Mar 04, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Choosing the watchdog) – Mar 04, 2023

watchdog (noun) – a person or organization that monitors/inspects/supervises others’ activities/conducts. inspector/supervisor, observer, ombudsman.
panel (noun) – board, committee, advisory body, council.
independence (noun) – autonomy, self-government, self-rule, freedom.
take away (phrasal verb) – remove, withdraw, eliminate, discard.
domain (noun) – realm, field, area.
the executive (noun) – the executive is a branch of government that enforces the law as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.
constitutional (adjective) – relating to the Constitution; legal, lawful, legitimate.
constitutional bodies (noun) – The important bodies (like Election Commission of India, UPSC, and Finance Commission of India, etc.) in India that derive their powers and authorities from the Indian Constitution.
be vest with (verb) – give or provide (someone) the legal right to power.
plenary (adjective) – absolute, complete, unconditional, unrestricted, unqualified.
superintendence (noun) – supervision, surveillance, inspection.
republic (noun) – a group of people involved in a particular activity with certain equality; “The Republic” is a form of government in which a state (country) is ruled by elected representatives of the people (citizen body).
fair (adjective) – just, equitable, fair-minded, upright, trustworthy.
practice (noun) – custom, tradition, method, system, convention, way, procedure.
Constitution Bench (noun) – a bench of the Supreme Court having five or more judges on it. These benches are not a routine phenomenon. Constitution Benches are exceptions, set up only if some circumstances exist).
bench (noun) – a court of law with a number of judges.
point out (phrasal verb) – identify, draw attention to, indicate, specify, mention.
intent (noun) – intention, purpose, scope.
constitution (noun) – body of law; system of rules; regulations, fundamental principles, charter.
lay down (phrasal verb) – formulate, stipulate, set down, draw up, frame.
Article 324(2) of the Constitution of India (noun) – it states that “the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President.”
subject to (adjective) – conditional on, contingent on, depending on.
behalf (noun) – interest.
in behalf of (phrase) – in the interest of, for.
successive (adjective) – consecutive; subsequent, ensuing succeeding.
regime (noun) – government, executive, authority.
author (verb) – be the creator/mastermind of.
inertia (noun) – lethargy, sluggishness, inertness, inactivity.
legislature (noun) – law-making body or governing body; parliament, congress, council, assembly.
perceived (adjective) – discernable, noticeable, recognizable; supposed, regarded, considered.
vacuum (noun) – empty space, emptiness, void, nothingness.
proposition (noun) – premise, idea, concept, assumption.
fiercely (adverb) – savagely, severely, aggressively/extremely.
independent (adjective) – self-governing, autonomous, non-aligned.
beholden (adjective) – indebted, obligated, under an obligation, duty-bound.
room (noun) – scope, opportunity, chance (for something to happen).
authority (noun) – the people in charge, the powers that be, the government, the administration.
reciprocity (noun) – exchange, trade-off.
loyalty (noun) – allegiance, faithfulness, obedience, adherence.
admittedly (adverb) – actually, truly, verily, indeed.
convention (noun) – norm, standard, regulation; practice, custom, method, system.
way (noun) – method.
institution (noun) – an established official organization; association, group, federation, alliance, consortium.
preserve (verb) – protect, defend, maintain, taken care of.
nominee (noun) – candidate.
enhance (verb) – increase, intensify, heighten, add to.
pre-emptive (adjective) – preventive, precautionary, protective.
legitimacy (noun) – reasonableness, justification, validity.
objective (adjective) – impartial, neutral, unbiased, unprejudiced, non-discriminatory.
scrutiny (noun) – examination, inspection, investigation.
infirmity (noun) – weakness, feebleness, impairment; unsteadiness, hesitation, instability.
well-advised (adjective) – wise, sensible, prudent, thoughtful.
seek (verb) – try, aim, attempt to obtain.
get around (phrasal verb) – circumvent, evade, avoid, bypass, find a way round, sidestep, dodge.
in tune with (phrase) – in accordance with, in agreement with, in line with.
spirit (noun) – true intention, real/true meaning, substance.
emphasis (noun) – importance, significance; priority, insistence.