UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY MISSION & BHARAT SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

Q1. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, which one of the following organisations has the lead role in designing and developing the indigenous demonstration Small Modular Reactors?

  • A. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, a public sector undertaking of the Department of Atomic Energy
  • B. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the premier research establishment of the Department of Atomic Energy
  • C. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, the centre for fast reactor technology
  • D. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Kalpakkam, the fast breeder reactor utility

Q2. As stated by the Government, the construction of a lead Bharat Small Modular Reactor unit is expected to be completed within how many months from the date of administrative and financial approval?

  • A. 24 to 36 months
  • B. 36 to 48 months
  • C. 48 to 60 months
  • D. 60 to 72 months

Q3. Among the demonstration reactor projects being taken up under the Nuclear Energy Mission, which one has been assigned the largest indicative project outlay?

  • A. BSMR-200, the 220 MWe pressurised water reactor proposed at Tarapur
  • B. SMR-55, the 55 MWe pressurised water reactor proposed at Tarapur
  • C. HTGCR, the up to 5 MWth gas cooled reactor proposed at BARC Vizag
  • D. The 700 MWe indigenous PHWR fleet proposed at greenfield sites

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat: 1. It envisages a nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047. 2. Projects presently under implementation by NPCIL are expected to take capacity to about 22 GW by 2031-32. 3. NPCIL's own expansion plans are expected to deliver the entire 100 GWe by 2047, without contribution from other public sector enterprises, States or private entities. 4. The 100 GWe goal is intended to help India achieve its declared Net Zero target of 2047. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It envisages a nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047.
  2. Projects presently under implementation by NPCIL are expected to take capacity to about 22 GW by 2031-32.
  3. NPCIL's own expansion plans are expected to deliver the entire 100 GWe by 2047, without contribution from other public sector enterprises, States or private entities.
  4. The 100 GWe goal is intended to help India achieve its declared Net Zero target of 2047.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q5. Consider the following as elements of the strategy adopted to reach the 100 GWe nuclear capacity goal by 2047: 1. Setting up 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at greenfield sites 2. Setting up large capacity imported reactors at greenfield sites 3. Deploying Bharat Small Modular Reactors at brownfield sites, including sites of retiring thermal power plants 4. Converting the existing fleet of 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors into high temperature gas cooled reactors for hydrogen production Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Setting up 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at greenfield sites
  2. Setting up large capacity imported reactors at greenfield sites
  3. Deploying Bharat Small Modular Reactors at brownfield sites, including sites of retiring thermal power plants
  4. Converting the existing fleet of 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors into high temperature gas cooled reactors for hydrogen production
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, operator liability for nuclear damage is graded according to the capacity of the installation. What is the highest liability amount in this graded structure?

  • A. Rs. 300 crore
  • B. Rs. 1,500 crore
  • C. Rs. 2,000 crore
  • D. Rs. 3,000 crore

Q7. In India's nuclear liability framework, the expression 'right of recourse' precisely denotes which one of the following?

  • A. The power of the Central Government to recover from the operator any compensation it has itself paid beyond the operator's liability ceiling
  • B. The entitlement of victims of a nuclear incident to appeal against an award of the Claims Commissioner before a higher adjudicating authority
  • C. The entitlement of the operator to recover from the supplier of the installation the compensation it has paid, in specified circumstances
  • D. The power of the regulator to revoke a licence and assume charge of an installation in the aftermath of a nuclear incident

Q8. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted in 1983 by the President of India in exercise of the powers conferred by which one of the following?

  • A. Section 6 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1948
  • B. Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • C. Section 16 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • D. Entry 6 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule read with Article 246 of the Constitution

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing the position of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board before and after the SHANTI Act, 2025: 1. Before the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board was constituted by an order rather than by a statute of its own, and was made responsible to the Atomic Energy Commission. 2. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board acquires statutory status and is to consist of a chairperson, one full-time member and up to seven part-time members appointed by the Central Government. 3. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board is the authority empowered to grant licences to private companies to build and operate nuclear power plants. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board was constituted by an order rather than by a statute of its own, and was made responsible to the Atomic Energy Commission.
  2. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board acquires statutory status and is to consist of a chairperson, one full-time member and up to seven part-time members appointed by the Central Government.
  3. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Board is the authority empowered to grant licences to private companies to build and operate nuclear power plants.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. According to the characterisation used by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Small Modular Reactors are advanced reactors with an electrical output of up to how much per module?

  • A. 100 MW(e) per module
  • B. 500 MW(e) per module
  • C. 300 MW(e) per module
  • D. 700 MW(e) per module

Q11. Under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, the formal notification of a nuclear incident within the prescribed period is the responsibility of which one of the following?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, the safety regulator for nuclear installations
  • B. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, the operator of most nuclear installations
  • C. The National Disaster Management Authority, the apex body for disaster response
  • D. The Claims Commissioner appointed by the Central Government under the Act