Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 5
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति · Questions 41–50 of 120
The Pokhran test site (Field Test Range) where nuclear tests were conducted is in which district?
Correct Answer: A. Jaisalmer
Pokhran (also spelled Pokaran) is located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, in the Thar Desert. The nuclear test site, officially the Pokhran Test Range (PTR), is in the desert terrain about 100 km from Jaisalmer town. Both the 1974 (Smiling Buddha) and 1998 (Operation Shakti) nuclear tests were conducted here at depths of 107m and 200m respectively. The tests were kept secret with elaborate security arrangements.
INS Arighat is India's second SSBN. It was commissioned in:
Correct Answer: D. 2024
INS Arighat (S3), India's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned on 29 August 2024. Like INS Arihant, it is powered by a pressurised light water reactor. INS Arighat is reported to be larger than INS Arihant, with improved capabilities. With two SSBNs operational, India has significantly strengthened its sea-based nuclear deterrent. Two more SSBNs (S4 and S4*) are reportedly under construction.
The Integrated Nuclear Command and Control System in India ensures:
Correct Answer: B. Secure two-way communication between NCA and strategic forces
India's Integrated Nuclear Command and Control System ensures secure, reliable communication between the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) under the Prime Minister and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) which manages delivery systems. The system is designed to be survivable against a first strike, ensuring second-strike capability. India follows a de-mated posture in peacetime, where warheads are stored separately from delivery systems. Only the Political Council (PM) can authorise nuclear use.
Which was India's first Fast Breeder Test Reactor?
Correct Answer: D. FBTR at Kalpakkam
The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam became critical on 18 October 1985. It is a sodium-cooled fast reactor using a unique mixed uranium-plutonium carbide fuel developed in India. FBTR serves as the technology demonstrator for India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). It has provided invaluable experience in fast reactor operation and sodium technology. FBTR is operated by IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research).
India's nuclear energy percentage in total electricity generation is approximately:
Correct Answer: B. 3-4%
Nuclear energy accounts for approximately 3% of India's total electricity generation as of 2024, with an installed capacity of about 7480 MWe from 22 reactors. India has ambitious plans to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MWe by 2031 through new reactors. The government has approved construction of 10 new 700 MWe PHWRs (fleet mode). India's nuclear power growth is constrained by availability of uranium and international nuclear cooperation agreements.
India's Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) use which type of fuel?
Correct Answer: B. Natural Uranium
India's PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors) use natural uranium (0.7% U-235) as fuel and heavy water (D2O) as both moderator and coolant. Using natural uranium fuel gives India independence from imported enriched uranium. The spent fuel from PHWRs contains plutonium which is reprocessed and used in Fast Breeder Reactors (Stage 2). India has developed the full nuclear fuel cycle including mining, conversion, fuel fabrication, and reprocessing.
Under India's nuclear command structure, who has the authority to order a nuclear strike?
Correct Answer: C. The Prime Minister through the Political Council of NCA
Under India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) structure, only the Prime Minister, as Chairman of the Political Council of the NCA, has the authority to order a nuclear strike. This ensures strict civilian political control over nuclear weapons, consistent with India's democratic values. The National Security Advisor (NSA) chairs the Executive Council of NCA which provides advice to the Political Council. No military officer unilaterally controls nuclear release authority.
Which Indian state has the largest number of nuclear power plants?
Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan
Rajasthan has the largest number of nuclear power plant units with RAPS (Rajasthan Atomic Power Station) at Rawatbhata having 6 units totalling about 1180 MWe. Tamil Nadu hosts Kudankulam (2 operational + under construction) and Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam. Maharashtra has Tarapur with 4 units. Rajasthan's Rawatbhata remains the most prolific nuclear power location in India with 6 operating units.
The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) mines uranium from which mine?
Correct Answer: B. Jaduguda, Jharkhand
UCIL (Uranium Corporation of India Limited) primarily mines uranium from Jaduguda in Singbhum district, Jharkhand. Jaduguda is India's oldest operating uranium mine, in operation since 1967. Additional uranium mining is done at Bagjata, Narwapahar, and Turamdih also in Jharkhand. UCIL has expanded uranium mining to Domiasiat (Meghalaya), Lambapur-Peddagattu (Telangana), and Rohil (Rajasthan) to meet growing demand. India has modest uranium reserves but large thorium deposits.
India conducted a major hydrogen bomb test in Operation Shakti 1998. The yield of the thermonuclear device was claimed to be:
Correct Answer: C. 45 kilotons
India claimed the thermonuclear device (Shakti-I) tested on 11 May 1998 had a yield of 43-45 kilotons. However, independent seismological analyses estimated lower yields of around 25-30 kilotons. This discrepancy led to debates about whether India successfully tested a thermonuclear device or a boosted fission device. India maintains it successfully tested a thermonuclear weapon. The five tests in May 1998 established India's capability across the yield spectrum from sub-kiloton to thermonuclear.