UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — What is the India-Australia uranium supplies agreement?

Q1. The Administrative Arrangement implementing the India-Australia Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy is executed on the Indian side by the department under which the Nuclear Fuel Complex functions as a constituent unit. Which one of the following is that department?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Department of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Power

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the India-Australia civil nuclear agreement: 1. The Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed in September 2014, but entered into force only in November 2015. 2. The original Administrative Arrangement for implementing the Agreement was brought into force on the same day the Agreement itself entered into force. 3. Regular commercial uranium supplies from Australia to India commenced soon after the Agreement's entry into force and continued uninterrupted thereafter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed in September 2014, but entered into force only in November 2015.
  2. The original Administrative Arrangement for implementing the Agreement was brought into force on the same day the Agreement itself entered into force.
  3. Regular commercial uranium supplies from Australia to India commenced soon after the Agreement's entry into force and continued uninterrupted thereafter.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the outcomes of the India-Australia engagement of July 2026 on nuclear and resources cooperation, consider the following: 1. Finalisation and signing of the administrative arrangement enabling long-term Australian uranium exports to India for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards. 2. Reaffirmation by Australia of its support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. 3. Establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Mining at NSTI Bhubaneswar in cooperation with the Government of Western Australia. 4. Accession of Australia to the operator-liability pool created under India's SHANTI Act. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Finalisation and signing of the administrative arrangement enabling long-term Australian uranium exports to India for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards.
  2. Reaffirmation by Australia of its support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
  3. Establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Mining at NSTI Bhubaneswar in cooperation with the Government of Western Australia.
  4. Accession of Australia to the operator-liability pool created under India's SHANTI Act.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q4. The administrative arrangement finalised in July 2026 for Australian uranium exports to India derives its legal authority from which one of the following instruments?

  • A. The India-Australia Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, in force since November 2015
  • B. The India-United States 123 Agreement
  • C. India's Additional Protocol with the IAEA
  • D. The Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver granted to India

Q5. Under the tiered operator-liability framework introduced by the SHANTI Act, 2025, what is the maximum liability that can be fixed on an operator, graded by the capacity of the installation?

  • A. ₹100 crore
  • B. ₹1,500 crore
  • C. ₹3,000 crore
  • D. ₹5,000 crore

Q6. Approximately what proportion of the world's low-cost recoverable uranium reserves is held by Australia?

  • A. About one-tenth
  • B. About one-fourth
  • C. About one-half
  • D. About three-fourths

Q7. Consider the following statements: 1. Olympic Dam, Australia's largest uranium-bearing deposit, is located in South Australia. 2. Australia's known uranium reserves are confined solely to Queensland and New South Wales. 3. Australian uranium supplied to India may be used only in Indian facilities covered by the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA, which has been in force since 2009. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Olympic Dam, Australia's largest uranium-bearing deposit, is located in South Australia.
  2. Australia's known uranium reserves are confined solely to Queensland and New South Wales.
  3. Australian uranium supplied to India may be used only in Indian facilities covered by the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA, which has been in force since 2009.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Verification that uranium imported by India is used only in designated civilian facilities and not diverted to non-peaceful uses is carried out by which one of the following?

  • A. The International Atomic Energy Agency, under India's India-specific safeguards agreement
  • B. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
  • C. The Nuclear Fuel Complex of the Department of Atomic Energy
  • D. The Nuclear Suppliers Group

Q9. With reference to the safeguards framework governing India's imported nuclear fuel, consider the following statements: 1. India signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA in February 2009 and it is in force. 2. India signed an Additional Protocol with the IAEA in May 2009. 3. India is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a recognised nuclear-weapon State. 4. Uranium imported by India since 2008-09 has been used in reactors placed under IAEA safeguards. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. India signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA in February 2009 and it is in force.
  2. India signed an Additional Protocol with the IAEA in May 2009.
  3. India is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a recognised nuclear-weapon State.
  4. Uranium imported by India since 2008-09 has been used in reactors placed under IAEA safeguards.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q10. In 2020-21, from which one of the following countries did India import the largest quantity of uranium, measured in metric tonnes of uranium (MTU)?

  • A. Canada
  • B. Kazakhstan
  • C. Uzbekistan
  • D. Australia

Q11. India's civil nuclear cooperation with the United States, which paved the way for its subsequent uranium supply arrangements with other countries, is operationalised under which one of the following?

  • A. The bilateral 123 Agreement for Cooperation concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
  • B. The Additional Protocol signed with the IAEA
  • C. The Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver of 2008
  • D. The Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage