UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME

Q1. Which one of the following reactor types constitutes the FIRST stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme?

  • A. Fast Breeder Reactor
  • B. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor
  • C. VVER pressurised water reactor
  • D. Advanced Heavy Water Reactor

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the stages of India's three-stage nuclear power programme: 1. Stage 1 employs natural uranium as fuel in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. 2. Stage 2 uses exclusively thorium as fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors. 3. Large-scale utilisation of thorium is envisaged only in the third stage, using Uranium-233. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Stage 1 employs natural uranium as fuel in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
  2. Stage 2 uses exclusively thorium as fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors.
  3. Large-scale utilisation of thorium is envisaged only in the third stage, using Uranium-233.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the locations of India's monazite (thorium-bearing) placer deposits, consider the following: 1. Kerala — coastal beach sand placers. 2. Odisha — coastal beach sand placers. 3. Punjab — inland alluvial placers. 4. Jharkhand — inland placers. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Kerala — coastal beach sand placers.
  2. Odisha — coastal beach sand placers.
  3. Punjab — inland alluvial placers.
  4. Jharkhand — inland placers.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. India's thorium resources are contained principally in which one of the following minerals found in its beach-sand placer deposits?

  • A. Ilmenite
  • B. Monazite
  • C. Rutile
  • D. Garnet

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26: 1. Compared with conventional large reactors, SMRs are of smaller capacity and are intended to be factory-fabricated and modular. 2. The Mission targets at least five indigenously developed SMRs to be operational by 2033. 3. The Mission's ₹20,000 crore outlay is earmarked for importing SMRs rather than for domestic research and development. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Compared with conventional large reactors, SMRs are of smaller capacity and are intended to be factory-fabricated and modular.
  2. The Mission targets at least five indigenously developed SMRs to be operational by 2033.
  3. The Mission's ₹20,000 crore outlay is earmarked for importing SMRs rather than for domestic research and development.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following statements about India's nuclear power capacity: 1. Installed capacity is targeted to roughly triple to about 22,380 MW by 2031-32. 2. India's installed nuclear capacity stood at about 4,780 MW in 2014. 3. The long-term target is 100 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2047. 4. Nuclear power currently supplies about 25% of India's total electricity generation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Installed capacity is targeted to roughly triple to about 22,380 MW by 2031-32.
  2. India's installed nuclear capacity stood at about 4,780 MW in 2014.
  3. The long-term target is 100 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2047.
  4. Nuclear power currently supplies about 25% of India's total electricity generation.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the proposed reform of India's nuclear laws: 1. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 proposes to repeal both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 2. The Bill empowers the Central Government to license private companies, including those incorporated outside India, to build, own and operate nuclear plants. 3. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 introduced a no-fault liability regime. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 proposes to repeal both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  2. The Bill empowers the Central Government to license private companies, including those incorporated outside India, to build, own and operate nuclear plants.
  3. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 introduced a no-fault liability regime.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following statements about the institutions of India's nuclear establishment: 1. NPCIL is the operator of India's nuclear power plants. 2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) derives its regulatory authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 3. The Department of Atomic Energy functions under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. 4. BHAVINI is the nuclear safety regulator that issues siting and operating consents for power plants. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NPCIL is the operator of India's nuclear power plants.
  2. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) derives its regulatory authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
  3. The Department of Atomic Energy functions under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
  4. BHAVINI is the nuclear safety regulator that issues siting and operating consents for power plants.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to India's nuclear power stations, consider the following: 1. Kudankulam — Russian-design VVER pressurised water reactors. 2. Kakrapar (KAPP-3 & 4) — indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. 3. Tarapur — India's first nuclear power station. 4. Rawatbhata (RAPP-7) — a Fast Breeder Reactor. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Kudankulam — Russian-design VVER pressurised water reactors.
  2. Kakrapar (KAPP-3 & 4) — indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
  3. Tarapur — India's first nuclear power station.
  4. Rawatbhata (RAPP-7) — a Fast Breeder Reactor.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Consider the following statements about India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam: 1. It has been constructed and commissioned by BHAVINI. 2. It was designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). 3. It uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel with a Uranium-238 blanket. 4. It belongs to the third stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It has been constructed and commissioned by BHAVINI.
  2. It was designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
  3. It uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel with a Uranium-238 blanket.
  4. It belongs to the third stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4