UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu attains First Criticality

Q1. Dr Homi Bhabha's vision for India's nuclear power programme, into whose second phase the PFBR marks India's entry, is structured into how many sequential stages?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. India's three-stage nuclear power programme, including the PFBR project, is operationalised through which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Power
  • D. Ministry of Earth Sciences

Q3. In the context of the PFBR, what does the term 'blanket' most precisely refer to?

  • A. A surrounding layer of fertile Uranium-238 that captures neutrons and is transmuted into fissile Plutonium-239
  • B. A shield of enriched Uranium-235 that sustains the primary chain reaction in the core
  • C. The liquid sodium jacket that transfers heat away from the fuel assemblies
  • D. A moderator layer that slows fast neutrons to thermal energies

Q4. The PFBR that attained first criticality at Kalpakkam is best described as India's first indigenous reactor of which one of the following types?

  • A. 500 MWe sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor
  • B. 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactor
  • C. 220 MWe boiling water reactor
  • D. 300 MWe thorium-fuelled advanced heavy water reactor

Q5. Which single organisation is the lead public sector undertaking responsible for constructing and operating the PFBR at Kalpakkam?

  • A. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)
  • B. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
  • C. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
  • D. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

Q6. With respect to the PFBR, the role of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The R&D centre under DAE that designed and developed the PFBR technology
  • B. The independent statutory regulator that issued safety clearances for the reactor
  • C. The public sector utility solely responsible for commercially operating the reactor
  • D. The sole fuel-fabrication agency that reprocesses spent fuel for the reactor

Q7. In the context of the PFBR achievement of 6 April 2026, the term 'first criticality' most precisely denotes which one of the following?

  • A. The first attainment of a self-sustaining controlled nuclear fission chain reaction
  • B. The reactor first reaching its full rated electrical output of 500 MWe
  • C. The first synchronisation of the reactor with the national electricity grid
  • D. The commencement of loading the reactor core with fuel assemblies

Q8. With the PFBR attaining first criticality, India joins an elite group as the ___ country in the world to operate a commercial-scale fast breeder reactor.

  • A. first
  • B. second
  • C. third
  • D. fourth

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): 1. FBTR attained first criticality in 1985, whereas PFBR attained first criticality in 2026. 2. FBTR is a loop-type reactor fuelled by a mixed plutonium-uranium carbide core, whereas PFBR is a pool-type reactor fuelled by mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. 3. FBTR has a higher electrical generating capacity than the PFBR. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. FBTR attained first criticality in 1985, whereas PFBR attained first criticality in 2026.
  2. FBTR is a loop-type reactor fuelled by a mixed plutonium-uranium carbide core, whereas PFBR is a pool-type reactor fuelled by mixed oxide (MOX) fuel.
  3. FBTR has a higher electrical generating capacity than the PFBR.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Which one of the following correctly describes a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), the mainstay of India's Stage I fleet?

  • A. It uses natural uranium as fuel with heavy water serving as both moderator and coolant
  • B. It uses enriched uranium as fuel with light water as moderator and coolant
  • C. It uses mixed oxide fuel with liquid sodium as coolant and no moderator
  • D. It uses natural uranium as fuel with graphite as moderator and carbon dioxide as coolant

Q11. With reference to the regulatory and administrative framework governing India's atomic energy programme, consider the following statements: 1. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) derives its authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 2. The AERB reports to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). 3. The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission also functions as the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. 4. The Department of Atomic Energy functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) derives its authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
  2. The AERB reports to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
  3. The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission also functions as the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.
  4. The Department of Atomic Energy functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 4 only

Q12. Which one of the following operating power stations is co-located with the PFBR at the Kalpakkam nuclear complex in Tamil Nadu?

  • A. Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS)
  • B. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
  • C. Kaiga Generating Station
  • D. Rawatbhata Atomic Power Station