UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Transforming India’s nuclear power landscape

Q1. The nuclear-sector reform law enacted by India in December 2025 is popularly abbreviated as the 'SHANTI Act, 2025'. What does this acronym expand to?

  • A. Safe Handling and Advancement of Nuclear Technology in India Act
  • B. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act
  • C. Strategic Harnessing of Atomic and Nuclear Technology Initiative Act
  • D. Sustainable Harnessing and Atomic-power Nuclear Transition of India Act

Q2. With reference to the SHANTI Act, 2025 and the legal regime it replaces, consider the following statements: 1. It repeals and replaces both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 2. It replaces the earlier uniform operator-liability ceiling with a tiered cap linked to reactor capacity. 3. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha before it was passed by the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It repeals and replaces both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  2. It replaces the earlier uniform operator-liability ceiling with a tiered cap linked to reactor capacity.
  3. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha before it was passed by the Lok Sabha.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 sets a target for India's total installed nuclear power capacity by the year 2047. What is this targeted capacity?

  • A. 50 GW
  • B. 75 GW
  • C. 100 GW
  • D. 150 GW

Q4. With reference to India's nuclear capacity trajectory announced around the Union Budget 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. India's installed nuclear power capacity as of early 2025 was about 8,180 MW. 2. Twenty reactors were reported to be under construction at the time of the announcement. 3. The installed capacity is projected to reach about 22,480 MW by 2031-32. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's installed nuclear power capacity as of early 2025 was about 8,180 MW.
  2. Twenty reactors were reported to be under construction at the time of the announcement.
  3. The installed capacity is projected to reach about 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Comparing the pre-2025 legal framework with the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, all nuclear activity was vested exclusively with the government, precluding private ownership of nuclear power plants. 2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was not a statutory body earlier and has been granted statutory status only under the SHANTI Act, 2025. 3. Both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the SHANTI Act, 2025 completely bar every form of private and foreign participation in the nuclear sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, all nuclear activity was vested exclusively with the government, precluding private ownership of nuclear power plants.
  2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was not a statutory body earlier and has been granted statutory status only under the SHANTI Act, 2025.
  3. Both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the SHANTI Act, 2025 completely bar every form of private and foreign participation in the nuclear sector.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA), consider the following: 1. It channels primary, no-fault liability for a nuclear incident to the operator of the nuclear installation. 2. It was enacted following the 2008 India-US civil nuclear deal to facilitate foreign supplier entry. 3. It gives the operator a right of recourse against the supplier where the incident arises from defective equipment or a wilful/grossly negligent act. 4. The Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool was set up under it with a corpus of Rs 15,000 crore. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. It channels primary, no-fault liability for a nuclear incident to the operator of the nuclear installation.
  2. It was enacted following the 2008 India-US civil nuclear deal to facilitate foreign supplier entry.
  3. It gives the operator a right of recourse against the supplier where the incident arises from defective equipment or a wilful/grossly negligent act.
  4. The Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool was set up under it with a corpus of Rs 15,000 crore.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (before its repeal), the maximum liability of the operator of a nuclear installation (reactor of 10 MW or above) was capped at which of the following amounts?

  • A. Rs 500 crore
  • B. Rs 1,000 crore
  • C. Rs 1,500 crore
  • D. Rs 2,500 crore

Q8. Which one of the following is the primary operator responsible for generating electricity from nuclear power in India, being a public sector undertaking wholly owned by the Government of India under the Department of Atomic Energy?

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

Q9. With reference to private participation permitted under the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following: 1. Domestic private companies may build, own and operate nuclear power plants. 2. Companies incorporated outside India may independently obtain licences to operate reactors in India. 3. Foreign direct investment in atomic energy continues to be prohibited. 4. Non-government entities may participate through joint ventures in the sector. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Domestic private companies may build, own and operate nuclear power plants.
  2. Companies incorporated outside India may independently obtain licences to operate reactors in India.
  3. Foreign direct investment in atomic energy continues to be prohibited.
  4. Non-government entities may participate through joint ventures in the sector.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q10. India's three-stage nuclear power programme — progressing from pressurised heavy water reactors to fast breeder reactors and finally to thorium-based reactors to exploit the country's large thorium reserves — was conceptualised in the 1950s under whom?

  • A. Vikram Sarabhai
  • B. Homi J. Bhabha
  • C. Raja Ramanna
  • D. M. G. K. Menon