UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, C and D are correct and together describe the major steps and principles guiding environmental risk assessment and management. Hazard identification and exposure assessment are core elements, risk management legitimately includes broader social and economic considerations and precautionary measures are accepted when there is uncertainty about serious harm. Statements B and E are incorrect because risk assessment involves assumptions and value choices, and it is applied not only to chemicals but also to other hazards such as radiation and physical infrastructure risks. Therefore, the combination A, C and D only is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits D, which is an important statement about the role of the precautionary approach in situations of scientific uncertainty. Without D, the answer does not fully reflect contemporary environmental risk governance.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as it adds E, which wrongly restricts risk assessment to chemical hazards. Modern practice applies risk assessment frameworks across multiple hazard types, so including E makes the combination factually wrong.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes statement B, which claims risk assessment is entirely objective and free from value judgements. In reality, choices about endpoints, safety factors and acceptable risk levels involve normative judgments, so accepting B contradicts academic and policy discussions.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it brings together A, C and D, the three statements that align with accepted risk assessment and management practices, and excludes the two clearly false statements. It acknowledges both the technical and value-laden aspects of environmental risk governance.

Option E is incorrect as it includes B, D and E, of which only D is correct. B and E each misrepresent important aspects of risk assessment’s scope and nature, so the combination cannot be accepted.

Option F is incorrect because it groups C, D and E, again including E, which narrows risk assessment to chemicals only. Even though C and D are correct, the presence of E makes this option inconsistent with the broader view of environmental risk assessment.