UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is a standard measure of child health and healthcare quality. It counts deaths of infants under one year per thousand live births during a specified period. The stem exactly reflects this definition,so infant mortality rate is the correct term. IMR is widely used to compare health outcomes across regions and over time.

Option A:
Crude death rate measures total deaths per thousand population,including all ages. It does not single out infants,so it fails to capture the specific focus on under one year of age described in the question.

Option B:
Infant mortality rate directly addresses the vulnerability of babies in their first year,which is a sensitive indicator of nutrition,immunisation and maternal health. Because the stem mentions both age limit and per thousand live births,this option is fully consistent.

Option C:
Under five population refers simply to the number or proportion of children younger than five years. It does not describe a death rate measure and therefore is not appropriate for the blank.

Option D:
Child dependency ratio compares the child population to the working age population. It serves as an economic burden indicator rather than a health statistic. Hence it does not match the mortality based concept in the question.

Statements A, B and D are correct as they reflect established public health knowledge about contaminated water, vulnerability of children and benefits of integrated WASH programmes. Statement C is incorrect because handwashing with soap at critical times is one of the most effective measures to prevent diarrhoeal and related diseases. Therefore, the combination A, B and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it excludes D, which correctly emphasises the value of integrated WASH interventions. Without D, the answer does not show how combined strategies reduce disease burden.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it includes C, which wrongly downplays the effectiveness of handwashing. Including this false statement makes the combination unacceptable.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it groups B, C and D and accepts C as true. While B and D are correct, C is not, so the option mixes true and false statements.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it recognises that unsafe water and sanitation particularly harm children and that integrated WASH programmes can substantially lower disease. It also correctly rejects statement C.

Statements A, C and D are correct because toxic exposures in childhood affect development, indoor smoke increases respiratory disease and policy interventions can create healthier environments. Statement B is incorrect; children are actually more, not less, vulnerable due to developing organs and higher exposure per unit body weight. Hence, the combination that includes A, C and D and excludes B is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it recognises all the true statements and leaves out B, which misrepresents children’s vulnerability. It captures both biomedical evidence and the role of preventive policies.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it excludes D, which rightly points to the importance of policies targeting homes, schools and neighbourhoods. Without D, the policy dimension is missing.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it includes B, which is a false statement about children’s comparative vulnerability. Even though C and D are true, accepting B makes the combination unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it claims that all four statements are correct, thereby endorsing B along with the others. This contradicts basic environmental health understanding.