UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY MISSION FOR VIKSIT BHARAT

Q1. With reference to the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It repeals and replaces both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 2. It confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). 3. It permits companies incorporated outside India to independently own and operate nuclear power plants in India. 4. It retains exclusive Central Government control over uranium enrichment, heavy water production and spent fuel reprocessing. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It repeals and replaces both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  2. It confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
  3. It permits companies incorporated outside India to independently own and operate nuclear power plants in India.
  4. It retains exclusive Central Government control over uranium enrichment, heavy water production and spent fuel reprocessing.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q2. Statutory status was conferred on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for the first time by which one of the following?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • B. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
  • C. The SHANTI Act, 2025
  • D. The order constituting the AERB in 1983

Q3. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, at least how many indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors are targeted to be operational by 2033?

  • A. Three
  • B. Fifteen
  • C. Five
  • D. Twenty

Q4. With reference to the Nuclear Energy Mission, consider the following statements: 1. It targets 100 GWe of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047. 2. It was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. 3. Its ₹20,000 crore outlay is earmarked exclusively for importing foreign Small Modular Reactor technology. 4. The entire 100 GWe target is to be met solely by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It targets 100 GWe of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047.
  2. It was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
  3. Its ₹20,000 crore outlay is earmarked exclusively for importing foreign Small Modular Reactor technology.
  4. The entire 100 GWe target is to be met solely by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • A. 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2 and 3

Q5. As reported to Parliament, how many distinct indigenous Small Modular Reactor designs (such as BSMR-200, SMR-55 and HTGCR) is the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) currently developing under the Mission?

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

Q6. In the context of the Nuclear Energy Mission, a 'Small Modular Reactor' (SMR) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A conventional large reactor whose single containment is subdivided into several small modules at one site
  • B. A reactor that consumes only small, modular batches of plutonium recycled from spent fuel
  • C. An advanced reactor of small capacity, factory-fabricated in transportable modules for assembly at the deployment site
  • D. A miniature research reactor used solely for isotope production and not for power generation

Q7. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 completed its passage through Parliament by being passed first in which one of the following?

  • A. The Rajya Sabha
  • B. The Lok Sabha
  • C. A joint sitting of both Houses
  • D. A Select Committee before either House

Q8. Comparing the SHANTI Act, 2025 with the earlier legal framework, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, the SHANTI Act permits private Indian companies to build and operate nuclear power plants. 2. The SHANTI Act retained the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and only amended the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 3. The SHANTI Act confers statutory status on the AERB, which under the earlier framework had been constituted only through an executive order. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, the SHANTI Act permits private Indian companies to build and operate nuclear power plants.
  2. The SHANTI Act retained the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and only amended the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
  3. The SHANTI Act confers statutory status on the AERB, which under the earlier framework had been constituted only through an executive order.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Regarding the pre-2025 legal and institutional framework of India's civil nuclear sector, consider the following statements: 1. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 vested the development and control of atomic energy in the Central Government. 2. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 channelled liability for a nuclear incident primarily to the operator of the nuclear installation. 3. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was established in 1983 as a statutory body under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 vested the development and control of atomic energy in the Central Government.
  2. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 channelled liability for a nuclear incident primarily to the operator of the nuclear installation.
  3. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was established in 1983 as a statutory body under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Which one of the following is the nodal Central Government department that implements India's civil nuclear power programme and the Nuclear Energy Mission?

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

Q11. Which one of the following nuclear power stations houses India's largest-capacity individual reactor units, of 1000 MWe each?

  • A. Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)
  • B. Tarapur (Maharashtra)
  • C. Kaiga (Karnataka)
  • D. Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu)

Q12. Under the public–private framework enabled by the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following activities: 1. Building, owning and operating nuclear power plants for electricity generation. 2. Manufacturing of nuclear power plant equipment. 3. Independent enrichment of uranium and production of heavy water without government supervision. 4. Custody and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel by private operators. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as permissible for private participants?

  1. Building, owning and operating nuclear power plants for electricity generation.
  2. Manufacturing of nuclear power plant equipment.
  3. Independent enrichment of uranium and production of heavy water without government supervision.
  4. Custody and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel by private operators.
  • A. 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2
  • D. 2, 3 and 4