Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 2
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति · Questions 11–20 of 120
India's first nuclear reactor, Apsara, was commissioned in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1956
Apsara, India's first nuclear reactor, went critical on 4 August 1956 at BARC, Trombay. It was a swimming pool type research reactor with a power of 1 MW. Apsara was built entirely by Indian scientists and engineers under the guidance of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha. It was later decommissioned and a new Apsara-Upgraded (Apsara-U) reactor was commissioned in 2018 with 2 MW capacity.
Where is India's first nuclear power station, Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), located?
Correct Answer: B. Maharashtra
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), India's first nuclear power station, is located at Tarapur in Maharashtra. It commenced commercial operation in 1969 with two boiling water reactors (BWRs) supplied by the USA. Two additional 540 MWe PHWRs were added later. TAPS is operated by NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited). It was built under the 1963 Indo-US agreement.
India's largest nuclear power plant by capacity is:
Correct Answer: C. Kudankulam
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu is India's largest nuclear power plant by capacity. Units 1 and 2 are VVER-1000 reactors (1000 MWe each) built with Russian assistance. Units 3 and 4 are under construction. The plant is built with Russian collaboration under a 1988 Indo-Soviet agreement. Total planned capacity is 6000 MWe with 6 units.
The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (123 Agreement) was signed in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2008
The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (123 Agreement) was signed on 10 October 2008 during PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington. It allows India to access US civilian nuclear technology and fuel despite not being an NPT signatory. The agreement was preceded by the July 2005 joint statement between PM Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush. India completed IAEA Safeguards Agreement in 2009.
India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is because:
Correct Answer: B. NPT recognises only 5 nuclear weapon states and India considers it discriminatory
India refuses to sign the NPT as it considers the treaty discriminatory — it recognises only five permanent nuclear weapon states (USA, Russia, UK, France, China) which conducted tests before 1967. India, Pakistan, and Israel are the three countries with nuclear weapons that are not NPT signatories. India advocates for universal disarmament but will not accept a discriminatory non-proliferation regime. India has not signed the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) either.
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is located at:
Correct Answer: B. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) is located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. It conducts research on fast reactor technology as part of India's second-stage nuclear power programme. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) of 500 MWe capacity is being built at Kalpakkam. IGCAR is under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam has been operational since 1985.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) operates under which ministry?
Correct Answer: C. Department of Atomic Energy
NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) is a government enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It is responsible for design, construction, commissioning, and operation of nuclear power stations in India. NPCIL currently operates 22 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of about 6780 MWe. The company manages nuclear plants at Tarapur, Rawatbhata, Kalpakkam, Narora, Kakrapar, Kaiga, and Kudankulam.
India's nuclear triad means India has nuclear delivery capability from:
Correct Answer: A. Land, Air, and Sea
India's nuclear triad refers to the capability to deliver nuclear weapons from three platforms: land-based ballistic missiles (Agni series), aircraft (Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Rafale), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (K-15 Sagarika from INS Arihant). Completing the nuclear triad gives assured second-strike capability, ensuring no first strike can destroy all of India's nuclear forces. INS Arihant's first deterrence patrol in 2018 completed India's nuclear triad.
INS Arihant, India's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned in:
Correct Answer: C. 2016
INS Arihant (SSBN 80) was commissioned on 18 August 2016, making India the sixth country to operate an SSBN. It is powered by an 83 MWt pressurised light water reactor. INS Arihant can carry K-15 Sagarika SLBMs (750 km range) or K-4 SLBMs (3500 km range). Prime Minister Modi announced INS Arihant's completion of its first deterrence patrol in November 2018, completing India's nuclear triad.
The Atomic Energy Act of India was enacted in:
Correct Answer: C. 1962
India's Atomic Energy Act was enacted in 1962, replacing the original Atomic Energy Act of 1948. The 1962 Act provides the legal framework for the development, control, and use of atomic energy in India. It established the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and gave it wide powers over nuclear materials and facilities. The Act was amended in 1987 to allow NPCIL to be established as a public sector enterprise.