UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

Q1. As per the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) classification, a 'Small Modular Reactor' (SMR) is defined as an advanced nuclear reactor having a power output, per unit, of up to which one of the following?

  • A. 300 MWe
  • B. 550 MWe
  • C. 700 MWe
  • D. 1000 MWe

Q2. With reference to the general features by which Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are characterised, consider the following: 1. They have a power output generally up to 300 MWe per unit. 2. They are designed to be factory-fabricated and transported to the site. 3. They can be deployed either as a single-module or a multi-module plant. 4. By definition, they can operate only on natural uranium fuel. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. They have a power output generally up to 300 MWe per unit.
  2. They are designed to be factory-fabricated and transported to the site.
  3. They can be deployed either as a single-module or a multi-module plant.
  4. By definition, they can operate only on natural uranium fuel.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the indigenous SMR designs being developed by BARC under the Nuclear Energy Mission, consider the following statements: 1. BSMR-200 is a 200 MWe-class reactor whose lead unit is proposed at the Tarapur site, Maharashtra. 2. SMR-55 is a 55 MWe reactor. 3. The up-to-5 MWth high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is intended for hydrogen generation. 4. The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is proposed to be located at the Tarapur site in Maharashtra. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. BSMR-200 is a 200 MWe-class reactor whose lead unit is proposed at the Tarapur site, Maharashtra.
  2. SMR-55 is a 55 MWe reactor.
  3. The up-to-5 MWth high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is intended for hydrogen generation.
  4. The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is proposed to be located at the Tarapur site in Maharashtra.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) programme, consider the following statements: 1. It is being jointly designed and developed by BARC and NPCIL. 2. The reactor-vessel alloy 'ApuRVA' and forging technology have been developed indigenously in collaboration with Indian industries. 3. The estimated development/construction cost of BSMR-200 is about ₹5,960 crore. 4. The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor variant is being developed by ISRO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is being jointly designed and developed by BARC and NPCIL.
  2. The reactor-vessel alloy 'ApuRVA' and forging technology have been developed indigenously in collaboration with Indian industries.
  3. The estimated development/construction cost of BSMR-200 is about ₹5,960 crore.
  4. The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor variant is being developed by ISRO.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q5. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget, India targets the operationalisation of at least how many indigenously developed Small Modular Reactors by 2033?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q6. The Nuclear Energy Mission, with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for R&D of Small Modular Reactors, was announced in which one of the following?

  • A. Union Budget 2025-26
  • B. Union Budget 2024-25
  • C. Economic Survey 2024-25
  • D. Union Budget 2023-24

Q7. In India's three-stage nuclear power programme, the second stage is characterised by which one of the following?

  • A. Fast breeder reactors using plutonium to breed U-233 from thorium
  • B. Pressurised heavy water reactors using natural uranium
  • C. Advanced heavy water reactors using thorium as the main fuel
  • D. Pressurised water reactors using slightly enriched uranium

Q8. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (the R&D body under the DAE) has initiated design and development work on how many distinct indigenous SMR designs?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q9. The 2025 Bill introduced in Parliament to repeal and replace the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, so as to enable private-sector participation in nuclear energy, is known as which one of the following?

  • A. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025
  • B. The Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • C. The Civil Nuclear Liability (Amendment) Bill, 2025
  • D. The Nuclear Energy Mission Act, 2025

Q10. Among India's three indigenous SMR designs, which one is specifically intended to produce hydrogen and supply high-temperature process heat for hard-to-abate sectors?

  • A. The up-to-5 MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR)
  • B. The BSMR-200 (200 MWe)
  • C. The SMR-55 (55 MWe)
  • D. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

Q11. At the global level, the standard classification defining reactors as 'small modular' (up to 300 MWe) and maintaining a catalogue of SMR designs is provided by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  • B. World Nuclear Association (WNA)
  • C. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
  • D. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)