UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PROGRESS UNDER NUCLEAR ENERGY MISSION
Q1. With reference to the objectives and targets of the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, consider the following:
1. Achieving 100 GWe of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047.
2. Having at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors operational by 2033.
3. A budgetary provision of Rs 20,000 crore for research and development of Small Modular Reactors.
4. Attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2047.
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly stated as a target of the Mission?
- Achieving 100 GWe of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047.
- Having at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors operational by 2033.
- A budgetary provision of Rs 20,000 crore for research and development of Small Modular Reactors.
- Attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2047.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1 and 2
- D. 4 only
Q2. The Nuclear Energy Mission, including the programme for Small Modular Reactors, is implemented in India primarily through which of the following?
- A. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- B. The Ministry of Power
- C. The Department of Atomic Energy
- D. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Q3. With reference to the passage of the SHANTI Act, 2025 in Parliament, consider the following:
1. It was piloted in Parliament by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh.
2. It was passed by the Lok Sabha before it was passed by the Rajya Sabha.
3. It received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu.
4. It was introduced and passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It was piloted in Parliament by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh.
- It was passed by the Lok Sabha before it was passed by the Rajya Sabha.
- It received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu.
- It was introduced and passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4 only
Q4. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 was piloted through Parliament by Dr Jitendra Singh in his capacity as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for which of the following portfolios?
- A. Power
- B. Science & Technology
- C. New and Renewable Energy
- D. Coal and Mines
Q5. Which one of the following was the principal statute governing the establishment and control of India's atomic energy programme that the SHANTI Act, 2025 replaces as the primary legal framework?
- A. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
- B. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
- C. The Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004
- D. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Q6. With reference to the key provisions of the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following:
1. It repeals both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
2. It accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
3. It permits foreign direct investment of up to 49% in specified nuclear activities under the automatic route.
4. It removes all government control over nuclear fuel production and heavy water manufacturing.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It repeals both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- It accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
- It permits foreign direct investment of up to 49% in specified nuclear activities under the automatic route.
- It removes all government control over nuclear fuel production and heavy water manufacturing.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q7. Consider the following statements comparing the roles of institutions in India's nuclear programme:
1. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is the design agency for the indigenous Small Modular Reactor variants under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
2. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is jointly involved with BARC in developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
3. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the agency tasked with constructing the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is the design agency for the indigenous Small Modular Reactor variants under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
- The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is jointly involved with BARC in developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
- The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the agency tasked with constructing the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) is being jointly designed and developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre together with which of the following?
- A. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)
- B. NTPC Limited
- C. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
- D. Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)
Q9. Among the reactor designs under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (of up to 5 MWth) being developed by BARC is primarily intended for which of the following applications?
- A. Desalination of seawater
- B. Production of medical isotopes
- C. Hydrogen production
- D. Grid-scale electricity supply to metropolitan cities
Q10. From its present installed nuclear capacity of about 8.78 GW, India's nuclear power capacity is projected to rise to approximately what level by 2031-32?
- A. 54 GW
- B. 22.38 GW
- C. 46 GW
- D. 100 GW
Q11. Consider the following target-year pairings relating to India's nuclear and climate roadmap:
1. 100 GWe nuclear power capacity — by 2047
2. Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions — by 2070
3. At least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors operational — by 2033
4. Projected nuclear capacity of about 22.38 GW — by 2047
Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correctly matched?
- 100 GWe nuclear power capacity — by 2047
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions — by 2070
- At least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors operational — by 2033
- Projected nuclear capacity of about 22.38 GW — by 2047
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 4 only
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 2 only