UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SHANTI Act liability absurdly low: plea in SC

Q1. The SHANTI Act, 2025 consolidated India's nuclear legal framework by repealing and replacing which one of the following pairs of statutes?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • B. The Atomic Energy Act, 1948 and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • C. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and the Energy Conservation Act, 2001

Q2. 'SHANTI', in the title of India's consolidated nuclear energy law of 2025, is an acronym that stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India
  • B. Strategic Handling of Atomic and Nuclear Technology in India
  • C. Safe Harnessing and Augmentation of Nuclear Technology Infrastructure
  • D. Sustainable Harmonisation of Atomic Networks and Thermal Infrastructure

Q3. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, a private licensee permitted to undertake 'fabrication of nuclear fuel' may carry out which one of the following?

  • A. Conversion, refining and enrichment of uranium-235 up to a threshold value notified by the Union Government
  • B. Unrestricted enrichment and isotopic separation of nuclear substances
  • C. Reprocessing of spent fuel and management of high-level radioactive waste
  • D. Production and upgrading of heavy water for reactor use

Q4. Which one of the following was, for the first time, thrown open to private and foreign participation by the SHANTI Act, 2025?

  • A. Construction, ownership and operation of nuclear power plants
  • B. Enrichment and isotopic separation of nuclear substances
  • C. Reprocessing and recycling of spent nuclear fuel
  • D. Production of heavy water

Q5. With reference to the 2026 Supreme Court petition challenging the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It was filed by retired civil servant E.A.S. Sarma. 2. It contends that the Act caps operator liability at an abysmally low level while exempting suppliers. 3. It invokes Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. 4. It was filed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was filed by retired civil servant E.A.S. Sarma.
  2. It contends that the Act caps operator liability at an abysmally low level while exempting suppliers.
  3. It invokes Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
  4. It was filed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q6. The Supreme Court Bench hearing the challenge to the SHANTI Act, 2025 is headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
  • B. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
  • C. Justice B.R. Gavai
  • D. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

Q7. The SHANTI Bill, 2025, after being passed by both Houses of Parliament, received presidential assent from which one of the following?

  • A. President Droupadi Murmu
  • B. President Ram Nath Kovind
  • C. President Pranab Mukherjee
  • D. President Pratibha Patil

Q8. Which one of the following is the nodal Union department for administering the SHANTI Act, 2025?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Ministry of Power
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q9. With reference to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) and the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. Under the CLNDA, 2010, an operator's liability for a nuclear reactor of 10 MW or more was capped at ₹1,500 crore. 2. The CLNDA, 2010 gave the operator a right of recourse against suppliers under its Section 17. 3. Unlike the CLNDA's single statutory cap, the SHANTI Act, 2025 introduces a graded operator-liability framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the CLNDA, 2010, an operator's liability for a nuclear reactor of 10 MW or more was capped at ₹1,500 crore.
  2. The CLNDA, 2010 gave the operator a right of recourse against suppliers under its Section 17.
  3. Unlike the CLNDA's single statutory cap, the SHANTI Act, 2025 introduces a graded operator-liability framework.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The doctrine of absolute liability for enterprises engaged in hazardous or inherently dangerous industry was propounded in 1987 by which one of the following?

  • A. The Supreme Court of India in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
  • B. The National Green Tribunal
  • C. The Delhi High Court in the Shriram Foods case
  • D. The Law Commission of India

Q11. With reference to the institutional structure of India's nuclear power sector, consider the following statements: 1. NPCIL, established in 1987, operated India's commercial nuclear power plants as a public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy. 2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was originally constituted in 1983 through an executive order rather than as an independent statutory body. 3. The SHANTI Act, 2025 downgrades the AERB to a non-statutory advisory body. 4. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, nuclear power generation was reserved as a government monopoly. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. NPCIL, established in 1987, operated India's commercial nuclear power plants as a public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy.
  2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was originally constituted in 1983 through an executive order rather than as an independent statutory body.
  3. The SHANTI Act, 2025 downgrades the AERB to a non-statutory advisory body.
  4. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, nuclear power generation was reserved as a government monopoly.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to the Supreme Court's conduct of the SHANTI Act challenge, consider the following statements: 1. The Bench indicated that it was wary of striking down the law. 2. The Bench characterised the matter as a sensitive legislative policy issue. 3. The Chief Justice asked the petitioner to name a country that does not meet its energy needs through nuclear plants. 4. The Bench issued an interim order halting all private participation under the Act. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Bench indicated that it was wary of striking down the law.
  2. The Bench characterised the matter as a sensitive legislative policy issue.
  3. The Chief Justice asked the petitioner to name a country that does not meet its energy needs through nuclear plants.
  4. The Bench issued an interim order halting all private participation under the Act.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only