UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTOR

Q1. With reference to the IAEA classification of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as a feature of SMRs?

  1. They have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit.
  2. Their per-unit capacity is about one-third that of a traditional large nuclear power reactor.
  3. Their major components are designed to be fabricated in a factory and transported to the site.
  4. By definition they can be deployed only as a single-module plant and never as a multi-module plant.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The Nuclear Energy Mission, with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for research and development of Small Modular Reactors, was announced under which one of the following?

  • A. Union Budget 2025-26
  • B. Union Budget 2024-25
  • C. Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • D. SHANTI Act, 2025

Q3. With reference to the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly stated?

  1. It has an outlay of ₹20,000 crore.
  2. It targets at least five indigenously developed SMRs to be operationalised by 2033.
  3. It is linked to a broader target of 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.
  4. It expressly bars any private-sector participation in the nuclear energy sector.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing India's indigenous small reactor designs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The BSMR-200 has a higher rated capacity than the SMR-55.
  2. The lead unit of the HTGCR is proposed at Tarapur, while the BSMR-200 is proposed at BARC Visakhapatnam.
  3. The Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) is a 220 MW PHWR-based variant intended for captive use by private industry.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following is the lead Small Modular Reactor design of India's Nuclear Energy Mission, whose lead unit (estimated at about ₹5,700 crore) is proposed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station?

  • A. BSMR-200
  • B. SMR-55
  • C. High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor
  • D. Bharat Small Reactor (BSR)

Q6. Both the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the bodies developing India's SMRs, function under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Ministry of Power
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q7. Consider the following institution–role pairings in India's nuclear programme. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. BARC — lead body for design and R&D of the SMRs
  2. NPCIL — deployment and construction of nuclear power plants
  3. Department of Atomic Energy — parent department overseeing the nuclear programme
  4. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board — financing of captive SMRs for private industry
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to India's three-stage nuclear power programme, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Stage 1 uses natural uranium in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  2. Stage 2 uses plutonium recovered from spent PHWR fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors.
  3. Stage 3 envisages large-scale power generation using Uranium-233 derived from thorium.
  4. The programme was conceived exclusively to exploit India's abundant reserves of uranium.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q9. In line with the Prime Minister's COP26 announcement, the target of achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 is being pursued primarily by which one of the following?

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

Q10. For captive use by hard-to-abate Indian industries, NPCIL has invited proposals (RFP) from private industry to finance and build which one of the following reactors?

  • A. 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (Bharat Small Reactor)
  • B. 200 MWe BSMR-200
  • C. 55 MWe SMR-55
  • D. 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor