Rehabilitation

noun

/ˌɹiː.əˌbɪl.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

The process of restoring disaster-affected communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods to normal functioning, encompassing reconstruction of damaged structures, restoration of essential services, and psychosocial support to affected populations.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A penal policy oriented towards the rehabilitation of offenders, rather than mere retribution, is more likely to lower recidivism and reintegrate prisoners as productive members of society.

Synonyms

restorationreintegrationreinstatementrecoveryreconditioningreformation

Antonyms

degradationdeteriorationdilapidationcondemnation

🌱 Word Family

rehabilitate (v), rehabilitated (adj), rehabilitative (adj), rehabilitant (n), rehab (n, informal)

🔡 Root

Medieval Latin rehabilitātiōnem; re- = again + habilitāre = to make fit, from habilis = able, fit

📜 Etymology

From French réhabilitation, from Medieval Latin rehabilitātiōnem, from re- ("again") + habilitāre ("to make fit"), from habilis ("able, fit"); entered English in the 16th century.

🧠 Memory Hook

Re- (again) + habilit- (from Latin habilis, "able/fit," as in "ability") = making someone ABLE again. Picture a "rehab" centre that restores a broken person to full ability.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2022 — Disaster Management
Mains 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Environment / Disaster Management
Mains 2016 · GS4 · 12 marks — Development Ethics / Displacement / Tribal Rights
Mains 2014 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Agriculture / Economy

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Rehabilitation” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

⚠️ Disaster Management 📖 Seen in: Disaster Preparedness & Response — NDM...

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