UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEPLOYMENT OF ANEEL

Q1. In the context of India's nuclear energy programme, the term 'ANEEL' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A thorium–high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) composite fuel developed for use in pressurised heavy water reactors
  • B. A domestically enriched uranium fuel developed for India's light water reactors at Kudankulam
  • C. An indigenous fast breeder reactor design using a plutonium–thorium mixed-oxide core
  • D. A reprocessing technology for recovering uranium-233 from spent thorium blankets

Q2. The proposed deployment of ANEEL fuel in India's pressurised heavy water reactors would require prior approval principally under which one of the following statutes?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • B. The Electricity Act, 2003
  • C. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • D. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

Q3. In India's three-stage nuclear power programme, a 'fast breeder reactor' is best described as a reactor that—

  • A. produces more fissile material than it consumes, breeding fresh fuel such as plutonium-239 and uranium-233
  • B. uses slow (thermal) neutrons moderated by heavy water to fission natural uranium
  • C. fuses light nuclei to release energy without producing long-lived waste
  • D. burns only imported enriched uranium to achieve very high burn-up

Q4. The exploration and utilisation of thorium-bearing atomic minerals in India is carried out by agencies functioning under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Ministry of Mines
  • C. Ministry of Coal
  • D. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Q5. Which one of the following represents the largest unit capacity of an indigenously designed pressurised heavy water reactor in India?

  • A. 700 MWe
  • B. 540 MWe
  • C. 500 MWe
  • D. 220 MWe

Q6. The design feature of Indian pressurised heavy water reactors that permits replacement of fuel without shutting down the reactor is known as—

  • A. on-power (on-load) refuelling
  • B. burnable poison loading
  • C. load-following operation
  • D. in-core breeding

Q7. To enable private-sector participation, the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 proposed amendments to which of the following pair of laws?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • B. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Electricity Act, 2003
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • D. The Electricity Act, 2003 and the Energy Conservation Act, 2001

Q8. Within the Union Government's administrative structure, the Department of Atomic Energy functions under the direct charge of which one of the following?

  • A. The Prime Minister
  • B. The Minister of Power
  • C. The Cabinet Committee on Security
  • D. The Minister of Science and Technology

Q9. In the context of India's nuclear power sector, 'ASHVINI' (Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited) is best described as—

  • A. a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC Ltd. — the first company formed by two central public sector enterprises to build nuclear power projects
  • B. a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC set up for renewable energy generation
  • C. a joint venture between NPCIL and a foreign reactor vendor for light water reactors
  • D. an atomic energy regulatory body constituted under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962