UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A case against the SHANTI Act

Q1. In the context of recent legislation on India's nuclear sector, what does the acronym 'SHANTI' in the SHANTI Act, 2025 stand for?

  • A. Strategic Harnessing of Atomic and Nuclear Technology in India
  • B. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India
  • C. Safe Handling and Adoption of Nuclear Technology Initiative
  • D. Sustainable Hydrogen and Atomic Nuclear Transformation Initiative

Q2. With reference to the SHANTI Act, 2025 as compared to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the CLNDA's uniform statutory cap on operator liability, the SHANTI Act introduces a tiered liability structure based on plant capacity. 2. The SHANTI Act retains, in identical form, the operator's statutory right of recourse against suppliers for defective equipment that existed under the CLNDA. 3. The SHANTI Act repeals the CLNDA but leaves the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 in force. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the CLNDA's uniform statutory cap on operator liability, the SHANTI Act introduces a tiered liability structure based on plant capacity.
  2. The SHANTI Act retains, in identical form, the operator's statutory right of recourse against suppliers for defective equipment that existed under the CLNDA.
  3. The SHANTI Act repeals the CLNDA but leaves the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 in force.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The SHANTI Act, 2025 is administered by which one of the following at the Union level?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Department of Atomic Energy under the Prime Minister's Office
  • D. Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology

Q4. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which earlier functioned only on the basis of an executive order of 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, has been granted statutory recognition for the first time under which one of the following?

  • A. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • B. The Atomic Energy (Amendment) Act, 2015
  • C. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022
  • D. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025

Q5. As per the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) shall consist of a Chairperson, one whole-time member and a maximum of how many part-time members appointed by the Central Government?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine