UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Why India wants fast breeder reactors

Q1. In the context of India's three-stage nuclear programme, which one of the following best describes a 'fertile' material?

  • A. A material such as uranium-235 that itself readily fissions with slow neutrons to sustain a chain reaction
  • B. A material such as uranium-238 or thorium-232 that is not itself fissile but is converted into a fissile isotope through neutron capture
  • C. A material that slows down fast neutrons to thermal energies inside the reactor core
  • D. A material circulated through the core solely to remove heat, such as liquid sodium

Q2. The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor that attained first criticality in 2026 was built and commissioned by which one of the following?

  • A. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
  • B. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)
  • C. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
  • D. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)

Q3. Through neutron capture in breeder reactors, the two fertile materials used across India's programme (uranium-238 and thorium-232) are transmuted into how many distinct fissile isotopes?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Four

Q4. A reactor is termed a 'fast breeder' primarily because:

  • A. it always operates at a higher temperature than every thermal reactor
  • B. it uses fast, unmoderated neutrons and breeds more fissile material than it consumes
  • C. it can never use thorium anywhere in its fuel cycle
  • D. it reaches criticality more quickly than a pressurised heavy water reactor

Q5. The mining and handling of monazite, India's principal thorium-bearing mineral, is regulated because thorium is classified as a 'prescribed substance' under which one of the following?

  • A. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
  • B. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017

Q6. Which one of the following is the principal mineral source of thorium in India?

  • A. Ilmenite
  • B. Monazite
  • C. Bauxite
  • D. Pitchblende

Q7. With reference to countries that have built or operated fast breeder / liquid-metal reactors, which one of the following is NOT correctly identified?

  1. Russia — operates the BN-series commercial fast reactors.
  2. France — built the Superphénix fast breeder reactor.
  3. Japan — built the Monju fast breeder reactor.
  4. Brazil — operates the Angra fast breeder reactor.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q8. Which one of the following is the apex body that formulates policy for the Department of Atomic Energy and oversees India's nuclear programme?

  • A. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
  • B. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
  • C. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
  • D. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)