UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION

Q1. In India's nuclear power sector, which one of the following is the sole agency entrusted with the design, construction and operation of commercial nuclear power reactors for electricity generation?

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

Q2. India's three-stage nuclear power programme, built on a closed fuel cycle, is designed and operationalised primarily under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
  • B. Ministry of Power
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q3. Which one of the following reactor types constitutes the first stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme?

  • A. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors using natural uranium
  • B. Fast Breeder Reactors using plutonium
  • C. Thorium–Uranium-233 based reactors
  • D. Pressurised Water Reactors using enriched uranium

Q4. Which one of the following correctly describes the fuel that the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) is designed to use exclusively?

  • A. Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU)
  • B. Natural uranium
  • C. Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX)
  • D. Thorium with Uranium-233

Q5. Under which one of the following was the target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 formally announced?

  • A. Union Budget 2025-26 (Nuclear Energy Mission)
  • B. Union Budget 2024-25
  • C. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • D. Union Budget 2023-24

Q6. The construction and operation of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is the responsibility of which one of the following?

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

Q7. India's first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe PFBR) is located at which one of the following sites?

  • A. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
  • B. Tarapur, Maharashtra
  • C. Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
  • D. Kakrapar, Gujarat

Q8. With reference to India's civil nuclear cooperation framework, which of the following are correctly identified?

  1. India has signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with France.
  2. India has signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan.
  3. India has signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the Republic of Korea.
  4. India has signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Pakistan.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project and related developments, which of the following are correctly identified?

  1. The project comprises four units of 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
  2. It is being implemented by ASHVINI, a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC.
  3. The foundation stone of the project was laid in September 2025.
  4. The Kaiga 5&6 units have already attained first criticality.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4