UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEPLOYMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS (SMRs)

Q1. With reference to how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) differ from conventional large nuclear reactors, consider the following statements: 1. An SMR is defined as producing electrical power of up to 300 MWe per module. 2. The 'modular' feature means systems and components are factory-assembled and transported as a unit for on-site installation. 3. An SMR can be deployed only as a single-module plant and cannot be expanded into a multi-module station. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An SMR is defined as producing electrical power of up to 300 MWe per module.
  2. The 'modular' feature means systems and components are factory-assembled and transported as a unit for on-site installation.
  3. An SMR can be deployed only as a single-module plant and cannot be expanded into a multi-module station.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the indigenous SMR designs being developed by BARC/NPCIL under India's Nuclear Energy Mission, consider the following: 1. BSMR-200 — a 200 MWe pressurised water reactor. 2. SMR-55 — a 55 MWe small modular reactor. 3. HTGCR — a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen generation. 4. AHWR-300 — the lead indigenous SMR cleared for hydrogen co-generation. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. BSMR-200 — a 200 MWe pressurised water reactor.
  2. SMR-55 — a 55 MWe small modular reactor.
  3. HTGCR — a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen generation.
  4. AHWR-300 — the lead indigenous SMR cleared for hydrogen co-generation.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the indigenous SMR programme, consider the following associations: 1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra — site for the lead units of BSMR-200 and SMR-55. 2. BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh — site proposed for the 5 MWth HTGCR. 3. ApuRVA — an indigenously developed reactor pressure-vessel alloy for BSMR-200 and SMR-55. 4. Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu — site identified for the lead unit of SMR-55. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra — site for the lead units of BSMR-200 and SMR-55.
  2. BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh — site proposed for the 5 MWth HTGCR.
  3. ApuRVA — an indigenously developed reactor pressure-vessel alloy for BSMR-200 and SMR-55.
  4. Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu — site identified for the lead unit of SMR-55.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q4. With reference to the institutional roles in India's SMR programme, consider the following statements: 1. BARC is responsible for the design and development of the BSMR-200. 2. NPCIL functions under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy. 3. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) cleared the administrative and financial sanction proposal of BSMR-200 for submission to the Cabinet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. BARC is responsible for the design and development of the BSMR-200.
  2. NPCIL functions under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy.
  3. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) cleared the administrative and financial sanction proposal of BSMR-200 for submission to the Cabinet.
  • 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 intended applications of India's indigenous SMRs, consider the following: 1. Captive power for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium and steel. 2. Repurposing of retiring fossil-fuel-based power plants by leveraging existing grid and cooling infrastructure. 3. Hydrogen generation through the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. 4. Serving exclusively as the dedicated power source for the entirety of India's metro-rail networks. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Captive power for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium and steel.
  2. Repurposing of retiring fossil-fuel-based power plants by leveraging existing grid and cooling infrastructure.
  3. Hydrogen generation through the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.
  4. Serving exclusively as the dedicated power source for the entirety of India's metro-rail networks.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. With reference to India's nuclear power capacity and targets, consider the following: 1. India's present installed nuclear capacity is about 8,880 MW. 2. India aims to reach 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. 3. An intermediate target of about 22 GW by 2032 has been set on the way to the 2047 goal. 4. India currently operates 40 nuclear power reactors. Which of the above is/are correct?

  1. India's present installed nuclear capacity is about 8,880 MW.
  2. India aims to reach 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
  3. An intermediate target of about 22 GW by 2032 has been set on the way to the 2047 goal.
  4. India currently operates 40 nuclear power reactors.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
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