Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 7

Correct Answer: C. Stage 3 of nuclear power programme

The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) is central to India's Stage 3 nuclear power programme, using U-233 (bred from thorium in Stage 2 fast reactors) as primary fuel with thorium as fertile material. India has the world's second-largest thorium reserves (about 25% of global reserves), mainly in Kerala's beach sands. Exploiting these reserves through Stage 3 can power India for thousands of years. BARC has designed a 300 MWe AHWR prototype.

Correct Answer: B. A Russian nuclear submarine leased to India

INS Chakra was a Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) leased to India from Russia, not an SSBN. INS Chakra (I) — a Charlie-class submarine — was leased from 1988 to 1991. INS Chakra (II) — an Akula-class submarine — was leased from 2012 to 2021. India returned INS Chakra (II) to Russia in 2021. India is seeking to lease another Akula-class submarine (INS Chakra III) from Russia. These are attack submarines, not ballistic missile submarines.

Correct Answer: B. Thermonuclear bombs use fusion of hydrogen isotopes triggered by a fission primary, giving much higher yield

Thermonuclear weapons (hydrogen bombs) use a two-stage design: a fission primary (atomic bomb) triggers fusion of deuterium and tritium (hydrogen isotopes) in a secondary stage, releasing far greater energy. Fission bombs (atom bombs) release energy only from uranium or plutonium fission. Thermonuclear yields can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than fission bombs. The Tsar Bomba (USSR, 1961) was the most powerful thermonuclear device at 50 megatons.

Correct Answer: B. Political leadership (elected government) has sole authority over nuclear use

India's nuclear doctrine explicitly establishes civilian political control over nuclear weapons — only the elected political leadership (Prime Minister through the Nuclear Command Authority) can authorise nuclear use. This prevents any military commander from unilaterally using nuclear weapons. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is military but operates under the NCA chaired by the Prime Minister. This model follows democratic principles and international best practices for responsible nuclear stewardship.

Correct Answer: A. USA and Japan

After India's May 1998 nuclear tests, the USA and Japan imposed economic sanctions on India. The US imposed sanctions under the Glenn Amendment and other laws, cutting off military assistance, economic aid, and restricting exports. Japan suspended grant aid to India. The European Union expressed disapproval but did not impose formal sanctions. The US sanctions were gradually lifted after the 9/11 attacks and strategic partnership development, culminating in the 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement.

Correct Answer: B. Fast reactor technology and thorium utilisation

IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, focuses on fast reactor technology including design of the PFBR, sodium technology, reactor safety, and thorium utilisation research — critical for India's Stage 2 and Stage 3 nuclear power programmes. IGCAR operates the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) and has extensive expertise in sodium-cooled fast reactor systems. It also conducts research on nuclear fuel reprocessing and advanced fuels.

Correct Answer: C. 15%

India aims to achieve about 63,000 MWe of nuclear power capacity by 2032, contributing roughly 15% of India's total electricity generation. Currently, nuclear power contributes about 3% of electricity. This growth requires both expanding indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs and large-scale international cooperation (Russian VVERs at Kudankulam, US/French/Korean plants at various sites). India's nuclear energy expansion is part of its clean energy transition goals under the Paris Agreement.

Correct Answer: A. USA

The USA conducted the first thermonuclear test (Ivy Mike) on 1 November 1952 at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific. The USSR followed with its first thermonuclear test (RDS-6, Joe-4) in 1953. The UK tested its thermonuclear device in 1957, China in 1967, and France in 1968. India claimed to have tested a thermonuclear device in May 1998 (Shakti-I, Pokhran-II), though independent analysis has questioned the yield. North Korea is the only country to have tested a thermonuclear device in the 21st century (2017).

Correct Answer: B. Indian Army and Intelligence Bureau

The 1998 Pokhran-II tests were conducted under exceptional secrecy involving the Indian Army (which provided security and logistics at Pokhran Test Range) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) which coordinated counter-intelligence operations. Scientists moved equipment and conducted preparations at night or during sandstorms to avoid US KH-11 satellite detection. The CIA's failure to detect the preparations despite its South Asia focus was considered a major intelligence failure. PM Vajpayee maintained absolute secrecy, informing only the closest advisers.

Correct Answer: C. 2003

India's nuclear doctrine was formally adopted as an official government policy in January 2003 by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The draft nuclear doctrine had been released by the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) in August 1999 for public discussion. The 2003 formalisation incorporated minor modifications and established the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The doctrine has remained unchanged since 2003 despite periodic debates.