UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Nuclear plants require lifetime commitment’

Q1. Under the Second Schedule of the SHANTI Act, 2025, which one of the following categories of nuclear installations attracts the single highest graded operator-liability amount?

  • A. Fuel-cycle facilities and transportation activities
  • B. Large reactors above 3,600 MW thermal capacity
  • C. Reactors between 250 MWe and 500 MWe
  • D. Reactors below 50 MWe

Q2. The SHANTI Act, 2025 consolidates India's nuclear-energy framework by repealing how many pre-existing central legislations?

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

Q3. For the purposes of the SHANTI Act, 2025, the 'Central Government' — which retains strategic functions such as uranium enrichment and heavy-water production — is defined as which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Department of Atomic Energy
  • C. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
  • D. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Q4. Under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, the principle of 'no-fault liability' channelled to the operator means which one of the following?

  • A. The operator is liable for nuclear damage irrespective of whether any negligence or fault is proved against it
  • B. Liability for nuclear damage is shared equally between the operator and the equipment supplier
  • C. The operator is liable only after a court establishes negligence on its part
  • D. The victim must first prove the operator's fault before claiming compensation

Q5. Under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, the operator's statutory right of recourse against the supplier — subsequently removed by the SHANTI Act, 2025 — was provided under which section?

  • A. Section 6
  • B. Section 17
  • C. Section 35
  • D. Section 46

Q6. Which one of the following bodies has been granted statutory status under the SHANTI Act, 2025 as India's independent regulator responsible for nuclear and radiation safety?

  • A. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
  • B. Atomic Energy Commission
  • C. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
  • D. Department of Atomic Energy

Q7. Within India's nuclear governance structure, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The apex policy-making authority of the Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. The sole statutory body that licenses and inspects nuclear installations for safety
  • C. The public-sector company that builds and operates nuclear power plants
  • D. The tribunal that adjudicates nuclear-damage compensation claims

Q8. Until the enactment of the SHANTI Act, 2025, which public-sector undertaking held the exclusive mandate to build, own and operate nuclear power plants in India?

  • A. NTPC Limited
  • B. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
  • C. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
  • D. Nuclear Fuel Complex

Q9. Under the liability architecture of the SHANTI Act, 2025, which entity ultimately bears the residual liability for compensation that exceeds the graded caps set out in the Second Schedule?

  • A. The plant operator
  • B. The equipment supplier
  • C. The Union Government
  • D. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board