UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The disaster management cycle is often conceptualised as a continuous process that includes mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Mitigation involves long-term measures to reduce risk, such as land-use planning and building codes. Preparedness includes planning, training and early warning systems to improve readiness. Response refers to immediate actions taken during and just after a disaster, while recovery focuses on restoring infrastructure and livelihoods. The logical sequence of these phases is Mitigation → Preparedness → Response → Recovery, making option C correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect as it starts with response, which actually occurs after a hazard event. Effective disaster management emphasises planning and mitigation before a disaster, not starting with reaction.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits mitigation at the beginning. While preparedness, response and recovery are important, mitigation should precede them to reduce underlying risk.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it follows the widely accepted sequence: reducing risk through mitigation, planning and training through preparedness, lifesaving actions during response, and rebuilding during recovery. This cyclical view also feeds back into future mitigation and preparedness.

Option D:
Option D begins with recovery and ends with response, which reverses the logical temporal order. Recovery is a post-disaster phase and cannot precede mitigation and preparedness activities that should occur in advance.