UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION

Q1. In India's three-stage nuclear programme, which reactor is being developed as a technology-demonstration reactor for large-scale thorium utilisation, using (Th-Pu)MOX and (Th-U233)MOX fuel?

  • A. Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR)
  • B. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)
  • C. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)
  • D. Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200)

Q2. Beyond 2032, in addition to reaching about 22 GW, how many GW of further nuclear capacity (indigenous PHWR plus LWR) is NPCIL envisaged to set up to take its own share to about 54 GW by 2047?

  • A. 13 GW
  • B. 32 GW
  • C. 46 GW
  • D. 54 GW

Q3. The ₹20,000 crore outlay under the Nuclear Energy Mission (Budget 2025-26) is primarily dedicated to the research and development of which one of the following?

  • A. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
  • B. Thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactors
  • C. Imported European Pressurised Reactors at Jaitapur
  • D. Nuclear fusion (tokamak) technology

Q4. In the Department of Atomic Energy's statements on the nuclear roadmap, the figure of 8.78 GW denotes which one of the following?

  • A. India's present installed nuclear power capacity (excluding RAPS-1)
  • B. The nuclear capacity targeted for completion by 2031-32
  • C. The nuclear capacity currently under implementation only
  • D. NPCIL's planned capacity addition beyond 2032

Q5. Under which section of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 is the operator's maximum liability for a nuclear incident capped at ₹1,500 crore?

  • A. Section 6
  • B. Section 17
  • C. Section 4
  • D. Section 46

Q6. Which statute currently bars private and foreign ownership of nuclear power plants in India, and therefore would need amendment to enable direct private participation in nuclear generation?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • B. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • C. The Electricity Act, 2003
  • D. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Act, 1983

Q7. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is built and operated by which one of the following entities?

  • A. BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd.)
  • B. NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.)
  • C. BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)
  • D. NTPC Ltd.

Q8. Legislative competence over atomic energy and nuclear power in India rests exclusively with which one of the following?

  • A. Parliament, under Entry 6 of the Union List (List I)
  • B. State Legislatures, under the State List (List II)
  • C. Parliament and State Legislatures concurrently, under the Concurrent List (List III)
  • D. State Legislatures, subject to prior Union approval