UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Affirms Fast-Track Nuclear Expansion; Capacity Set to Triple by 2031–32

Q1. As affirmed by the Union Government, India's installed nuclear power capacity of 8,180 MW is targeted to rise to approximately how many megawatts by 2031-32?

  • A. 16,360 MW
  • B. 20,000 MW
  • C. 22,480 MW
  • D. 100,000 MW

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

Q3. Which one of the following is the designated operator responsible for building and running India's nuclear power stations?

  • A. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
  • B. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
  • C. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
  • D. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

Q4. With reference to Dr. Homi Bhabha's three-stage nuclear power programme, consider the following statements: 1. In Stage 1, natural uranium is used as fuel in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. 2. In Stage 2, Fast Breeder Reactors use plutonium and breed Uranium-233 from thorium. 3. Stage 3 relies primarily on imported enriched uranium rather than on India's thorium reserves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In Stage 1, natural uranium is used as fuel in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
  2. In Stage 2, Fast Breeder Reactors use plutonium and breed Uranium-233 from thorium.
  3. Stage 3 relies primarily on imported enriched uranium rather than on India's thorium reserves.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It repeals both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 2. It grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). 3. It permits licensed private companies to operate civilian nuclear reactors. 4. It abolishes any cap on the liability of the plant operator. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It repeals both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  2. It grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
  3. It permits licensed private companies to operate civilian nuclear reactors.
  4. It abolishes any cap on the liability of the plant operator.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. The Request for Proposals inviting Indian industry to set up 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) for captive power was issued by which one of the following?

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

Q7. With reference to India's Small Modular Reactor programme, consider the following statements: 1. The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) is being jointly developed by BARC and NPCIL. 2. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹20,000 crore for the Nuclear Energy Mission's SMR R&D. 3. Lead units of the BSMR-200 are proposed to be constructed at the Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu. 4. At least five indigenously designed SMRs are targeted to be operational by 2033. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) is being jointly developed by BARC and NPCIL.
  2. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹20,000 crore for the Nuclear Energy Mission's SMR R&D.
  3. Lead units of the BSMR-200 are proposed to be constructed at the Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu.
  4. At least five indigenously designed SMRs are targeted to be operational by 2033.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. At the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra — envisaged as India's largest nuclear generating site — how many reactors are proposed in cooperation with France?

  • A. 2
  • B. 4
  • C. 6
  • D. 10

Q9. Units 3 to 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant are being set up under civil nuclear cooperation with which one of the following countries?

  • A. France
  • B. Russia
  • C. The United States of America
  • D. The Republic of Korea

Q10. With reference to the India-US civil nuclear cooperation framework, consider the following statements: 1. The India-specific waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group was granted in 2008. 2. India is the only non-NPT state permitted to engage in global civil nuclear commerce. 3. The US Hyde Act, which paved the way for the deal, was enacted in 2006. 4. India concluded the 123 Agreement only after acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a nuclear-weapon state. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The India-specific waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group was granted in 2008.
  2. India is the only non-NPT state permitted to engage in global civil nuclear commerce.
  3. The US Hyde Act, which paved the way for the deal, was enacted in 2006.
  4. India concluded the 123 Agreement only after acceding to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a nuclear-weapon state.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The distribution of electricity generated by nuclear power plants under the Gadgil formula (50% to the host state, 35% to neighbouring states and 15% to the national grid) is administered through which one of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Power through the Central Electricity Authority
  • B. The Department of Atomic Energy
  • C. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
  • D. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board