activates the ring towards electrophilic substitution
renders the ring basic
deactivates the ring towards nucleophilic substitution
deactivates the ring towards electrophilic substitution
Solution
$-\mathrm{NO}_2$ group shows $-\mathrm{M}$ effect, so withdraws the electron density from the ring and hence deactivate the ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitution.
Hence, (D) is correct.