Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 6
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति · Questions 51–60 of 120
What is the significance of the CIRUS reactor in India's nuclear history?
Correct Answer: B. It was a Canadian-supplied reactor that produced weapons-grade plutonium for India's 1974 test
CIRUS (Canada India Reactor Utility Services) was a 40 MW research reactor supplied by Canada in 1954, which became critical in 1960 at BARC Trombay. The plutonium produced in CIRUS was used in India's 1974 nuclear test, causing Canada to cut off all nuclear cooperation with India. This was controversial as the reactor was supplied for 'peaceful purposes'. CIRUS was finally shut down on 31 December 2010 after 50 years of operation. The Dhruva reactor replaced it as India's main plutonium production reactor.
India's 'No First Use' (NFU) nuclear policy has been reviewed periodically. In 2019, which minister suggested India might reconsider NFU?
Correct Answer: B. Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in August 2019 suggested that India's NFU policy could change in future depending on circumstances, creating speculation about India reconsidering its NFU commitment. However, India's official policy remains NFU as stated in the 2003 doctrine. India's official Nuclear Command Authority has not formally changed the NFU doctrine. These statements are sometimes interpreted as deliberate ambiguity to maintain deterrence effectiveness.
Homi J. Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, died in:
Correct Answer: B. 1966
Dr. Homi J. Bhabha died on 24 January 1966 in the crash of Air India Flight 101 near Mont Blanc, Switzerland. He was 56 years old at the time of his death. Bhabha had been instrumental in establishing India's nuclear programme, founding BARC (then TATA Institute of Fundamental Research) and conceiving the three-stage nuclear power programme. BARC was renamed in his honour in 1966. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai succeeded him as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Which country supplied the two boiling water reactors (BWRs) to India's Tarapur plant?
Correct Answer: C. USA
The USA supplied two 160 MWe Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) to India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) under a 1963 bilateral agreement. General Electric (GE) was the contractor. The USA also committed to supply uranium fuel. After India's 1974 nuclear test and later the NPT complications, US fuel supply became uncertain, and France temporarily supplied fuel. Russia later took over the fuel supply agreement. The Tarapur BWRs have been operating for over 50 years.
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata uses which type of reactor?
Correct Answer: B. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)
RAPS (Rajasthan Atomic Power Station) at Rawatbhata uses PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors) from Unit 3 onwards. Units 1 and 2 were based on Canadian CANDU design (also PHWRs). Units 3-6 are indigenous 220 MWe PHWRs. The PHWR design uses natural uranium fuel and heavy water (D2O) moderator/coolant, making India self-reliant in nuclear fuel. India has mastered the PHWR technology and now exports the design concept.
India's BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam) is specifically responsible for:
Correct Answer: B. Building and operating fast breeder reactors
BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited) was established in 2003 as a public sector enterprise under DAE to build and operate India's Fast Breeder Reactors. Its main project is the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam. BHAVINI is integral to India's Stage 2 nuclear power programme. Once the PFBR is operational, India plans to build multiple commercial fast breeder reactors to dramatically increase nuclear power generation.
India's nuclear testing moratorium since 1998 means:
Correct Answer: B. India has voluntarily stopped further nuclear tests since 1998
After the May 1998 Pokhran-II tests, India declared a unilateral moratorium on further nuclear testing. This means India has voluntarily refrained from conducting additional nuclear tests since then. The moratorium is not a treaty commitment — India has not signed the CTBT. India maintains this moratorium as a confidence-building measure while retaining the right to test if national security requires it. The moratorium has been maintained through successive governments.
Which Indian nuclear reactor reached criticality first?
Correct Answer: B. Apsara
Apsara, India's first nuclear reactor, achieved criticality on 4 August 1956 at BARC Trombay, making it the first reactor in Asia to go critical. It was a swimming pool type research reactor with 1 MW power. CIRUS achieved criticality in 1960, Dhruva in 1985, and FBTR in 1985. Apsara was built entirely with indigenous effort and demonstrated India's early mastery of nuclear technology just 2 years after the establishment of DAE.
What is the full form of BARC?
Correct Answer: B. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
BARC stands for Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, named after Dr. Homi J. Bhabha. It is located at Trombay, Mumbai, and is India's premier nuclear research institution. BARC was established in 1954 as the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) and renamed in 1966 after Dr. Bhabha's death. BARC conducts research in nuclear science, technology and engineering, and has about 6000 scientists and engineers.
India's first indigenously built nuclear power plant was:
Correct Answer: C. MAPS (Madras Atomic Power Station) Unit-1 at Kalpakkam
MAPS (Madras Atomic Power Station) Unit-1 at Kalpakkam, commissioned in 1984, was India's first wholly indigenous nuclear power plant built without foreign collaboration. It was designed and built entirely by Indian engineers after Canada withdrew cooperation post-1974. MAPS demonstrated India's mastery of nuclear power technology. Unit-2 was commissioned in 1986. MAPS has two 220 MWe PHWRs and is operated by NPCIL.