Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 4
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति · Questions 31–40 of 120
Kaiga Generating Station is located in which state?
Correct Answer: C. Karnataka
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) is located at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, in the Western Ghats. It has four 220 MWe PHWR units. Kaiga-1 holds the world record for the longest continuous operation of a PHWR — running for 962 days without shutdown. Two additional 700 MWe units (Kaiga-5 and Kaiga-6) have been sanctioned. KGS is operated by NPCIL.
Who was the scientific director of India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998?
Correct Answer: D. Both B and C
The correct answer is 'Both B and C'. Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti, May 1998) was led by Dr. R. Chidambaram (Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission) and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (Principal Scientific Adviser and DRDO chief). Dr. K. Santhanam was the test site director. The tests demonstrated India's capability to design thermonuclear weapons. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam played a crucial role in developing delivery systems (Agni and Prithvi missiles) that are integral to India's nuclear deterrence.
India's policy on nuclear weapons use against non-nuclear states is:
Correct Answer: B. India will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states
India's 2003 Nuclear Doctrine explicitly states 'no use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states'. This is the principle of negative security assurance. India is committed to using nuclear weapons only in retaliation against nuclear attacks or against attacks using weapons of mass destruction (chemical or biological). This policy makes India's nuclear posture transparent and confidence-building for non-nuclear states.
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in India is located at:
Correct Answer: B. Hyderabad
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) is located at Hyderabad, Telangana. It manufactures fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants, zirconium alloy tubes (Zircaloy), and other nuclear fuel-related components. NFC is under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It produces fuel bundles for PHWRs, fuel assemblies for BWRs, and enriched UO2 fuel for research reactors. NFC has achieved complete self-sufficiency in producing nuclear fuel for India's power reactors.
The term 'credible minimum deterrence' in India's nuclear doctrine means:
Correct Answer: B. India maintains the minimum number of nuclear weapons to deter adversaries
'Credible minimum deterrence' means India maintains a minimum number of nuclear weapons sufficient to deter any nuclear-armed adversary from attacking India, while not engaging in an arms race. The 'credible' part means the deterrent must be believable — India must have the capability to actually deliver nuclear weapons despite a first strike. India's nuclear arsenal is estimated at 160-170 warheads. This policy avoids unnecessary escalation while maintaining deterrence.
Which of the following countries has India signed Civil Nuclear Agreements with?
Correct Answer: A. USA, France, Russia
India has signed Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreements with USA (123 Agreement, 2008), France, Russia, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Czech Republic, and others. These agreements allow India to import nuclear fuel and technology from NSG member countries following the 2008 NSG waiver. The agreement with Japan (2016) was particularly significant as Japan is the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks. Australia's agreement enables uranium exports to India.
Which organisation maintains India's plutonium stockpile for nuclear weapons?
Correct Answer: B. BARC
BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) is responsible for India's nuclear weapons design and the management of fissile material including plutonium for weapons. India's weapons-grade plutonium is produced in the CIRUS (now shut) and Dhruva research reactors at BARC, Trombay. The Dhruva reactor (1985) with 100 MW capacity is India's main plutonium production reactor. India is building additional plutonium reprocessing capacity at Tarapur and Kalpakkam.
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in India was established in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1948
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India was established on 10 August 1948 under PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Dr. Homi J. Bhabha was appointed as the first Chairman of AEC. The AEC sets policy for nuclear energy development in India. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), established in 1954, serves as the secretariat for the AEC. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio member of the AEC.
Operation Pokhran-I (1974) was significant because:
Correct Answer: B. India became the first non-NPT country to conduct a nuclear test
Operation Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha, 18 May 1974) was historically significant as India became the first country outside the five permanent UN Security Council members (and the NPT's designated nuclear weapon states) to test a nuclear device. India described it as a 'Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE)'. The test demonstrated India's nuclear capability and established its position as a de facto nuclear power. It triggered international sanctions and pressure on India's nuclear programme.
India's nuclear doctrine explicitly covers response to which types of WMD attacks besides nuclear?
Correct Answer: B. Chemical and Biological weapon attacks
India's 2003 Nuclear Doctrine states that India will retain the option to use nuclear weapons in retaliation for attacks on Indian territory or forces with chemical or biological weapons. This extends nuclear deterrence to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. This provision was included recognising the danger of CBRN weapons in South Asian security. It broadens the scope of India's nuclear deterrence beyond just nuclear attacks.