UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY PROJECTS

Q1. In India's three-stage nuclear power programme, which one of the following correctly describes the intended role of Stage-2 (Fast Breeder) reactors?

• A. They use natural uranium in pressurised heavy water reactors to generate electricity while producing plutonium as a by-product
• B. They use plutonium (from Stage-1) with a Uranium-238 blanket to breed more fissile material, paving the way for thorium utilisation
• C. They burn Uranium-233 bred from thorium to generate electricity on a large scale
• D. They enrich natural uranium to weapons-grade material for the strategic programme

Q2. With reference to the rationale and adoption of India's three-stage nuclear programme, consider the following: 1. India holds about 25% of the world's known thorium reserves. 2. The programme was conceived by Homi Bhabha in the 1950s. 3. India holds nearly 25% of the world's known uranium reserves. 4. The three-stage plan was formally adopted by the Government of India in 1958. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. India holds about 25% of the world's known thorium reserves.
2. The programme was conceived by Homi Bhabha in the 1950s.
3. India holds nearly 25% of the world's known uranium reserves.
4. The three-stage plan was formally adopted by the Government of India in 1958.

• A. 1, 2 and 4
• B. 1, 3 and 4
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1 and 2 only

Q3. The approval for an additional set of indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs, expanding India's reactor pipeline beyond the earlier sanctioned units, was accorded by which one of the following bodies?

• A. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
• B. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• C. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
• D. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) Board

Q4. With reference to the latest status of India's nuclear reactor fleet, consider the following statements: 1. Of the reactors under implementation (about 15,300 MW), the units under construction account for 9 reactors totalling 7,300 MW. 2. The remaining reactors under implementation, about 8,000 MW, are at the pre-project stage. 3. India's present installed nuclear capacity is larger than its total capacity currently under implementation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Of the reactors under implementation (about 15,300 MW), the units under construction account for 9 reactors totalling 7,300 MW.
2. The remaining reactors under implementation, about 8,000 MW, are at the pre-project stage.
3. India's present installed nuclear capacity is larger than its total capacity currently under implementation.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. It carries an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for the research and development of Small Modular Reactors. 2. It targets at least five indigenously designed SMRs to be operational by 2033. 3. Its headline goal of 100 GW of nuclear capacity is set for the year 2031-32. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It carries an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for the research and development of Small Modular Reactors.
2. It targets at least five indigenously designed SMRs to be operational by 2033.
3. Its headline goal of 100 GW of nuclear capacity is set for the year 2031-32.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Which one of the following is the lead agency designing India's indigenous Small Modular Reactors (the Bharat Small Modular Reactor) under the Nuclear Energy Mission?

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

Q7. Which one of the following is the nodal department/ministry that administers India's civilian nuclear power programme?

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

Q8. In 2008, India was granted a waiver that ended decades of technology denial and enabled international civil nuclear commerce. The Nuclear Suppliers Group, which took this decision, then comprised how many member countries?

• A. 44
• B. 45
• C. 48
• D. 52

Q9. The Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project in Rajasthan, whose foundation stone was laid in September 2025, is planned to comprise how many indigenous 700 MWe PHWR units?

• A. Two
• B. Four
• C. Six
• D. Eight

Q10. In the context of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, what does the description of it as a 'breeder' reactor signify?

• A. It produces more fissile material than it consumes, converting a Uranium-238 blanket into fissile Plutonium-239
• B. It breeds tritium for fusion applications while generating electricity
• C. It uses enriched uranium to multiply thermal output without producing new fissile material
• D. It splits thorium directly into Uranium-235 within the reactor core

Q11. As India scales low-carbon baseload power towards its net-zero-2070 goal, which one of the following is its single largest nuclear power station, with a projected site capacity of 6,000 MW?

• A. Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, Gujarat
• B. Rawatbhata Atomic Power Station, Rajasthan
• C. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu
• D. Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra