Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 8
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति · Questions 71–80 of 120
Which radioactive element is India most richly endowed with, forming the basis of Stage 3 of its nuclear programme?
Correct Answer: C. Thorium
India has the world's second-largest thorium reserves, estimated at 846,000 tonnes (about 25% of global reserves), largely in the form of monazite sand along the Kerala coast. India has relatively modest uranium reserves. Thorium cannot be directly fissioned; it must first absorb a neutron to become U-233 (fissile). The three-stage nuclear programme was designed to ultimately exploit thorium to provide virtually unlimited clean energy for India.
India's Civil Nuclear Liability Act was passed in:
Correct Answer: C. 2010
The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2010. It establishes the liability framework for nuclear accidents in India, including compensation to victims. Critically, Section 17(b) allows nuclear plant operators to seek recourse against equipment suppliers in case of accidents due to equipment defects. This provision caused concerns among foreign suppliers (USA, France, Japan) about liability exposure, slowing implementation of nuclear cooperation agreements.
The joint India-France nuclear power project is planned at which site?
Correct Answer: B. Jaitapur, Maharashtra
Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, is planned with French collaboration (EDF/Framatome). It will use 6 units of the EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) design with a capacity of 9900 MWe total, making it potentially the world's largest nuclear power plant. The project has faced local opposition due to environmental and seismic concerns. The Indo-French nuclear deal was signed in 2008. Commercial agreements are still being finalised.
India's nuclear programme became self-sufficient after which event forced India to develop indigenous capabilities?
Correct Answer: B. Canada cutting off nuclear cooperation after the 1974 test
After India's 1974 Pokhran-I nuclear test, Canada immediately cut off all nuclear cooperation with India, including supply of heavy water and assistance with RAPS at Rawatbhata. This forced India to develop entirely indigenous capabilities in reactor design, heavy water production, fuel fabrication, and reprocessing. India successfully developed a 220 MWe PHWR design indigenously, demonstrated by MAPS at Kalpakkam (1984). This setback ultimately accelerated India's nuclear self-sufficiency.
What is India's estimate of its nuclear warhead count as of 2024, according to SIPRI?
Correct Answer: C. 172
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2024 yearbook, India has approximately 172 nuclear warheads. Pakistan has approximately 170 warheads, and China has approximately 500. India's arsenal has been growing gradually as it increases fissile material production. India does not officially declare its warhead count. India's nuclear programme emphasises quality and credible minimum deterrence over numerical maximisation.
The concept of 'assured second strike' in India's nuclear doctrine means:
Correct Answer: B. India can retaliate even after absorbing a nuclear first strike
Assured second strike capability means that even if India suffers a nuclear first strike from an adversary, India retains enough surviving nuclear forces to launch a devastating retaliatory strike. This is achieved through the nuclear triad (land missiles, aircraft, submarines), dispersed basing, hardened silos, mobile launchers, and submarine-based SLBMs. INS Arihant's deployment provides a survivable sea-based platform. Assured second strike underpins No First Use by making NFU credible.
Which Indian state has the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant?
Correct Answer: C. Karnataka
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) is located in the Western Ghats at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It has four 220 MWe PHWR units, all commissioned between 2000 and 2011. Kaiga-1 set a world record for continuous PHWR operation (962 days). The nuclear plant is surrounded by dense forest and the Kali River provides cooling water. NPCIL operates Kaiga. Two additional 700 MWe units (Kaiga-5 and 6) are under construction.
India has which of the following in its nuclear arsenal?
Correct Answer: D. Both MRBMs and SLBMs
India has Medium/Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (Agni-II to Agni-V) and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (K-15 Sagarika, K-4). Agni-V with 5000+ km range is sometimes called an ICBM though India designates it an IRBM. India does not have true ICBMs (10,000+ km range) yet, though Agni-VI (6000+ km range) is under development. K-15 SLBMs (750 km range) and K-4 SLBMs (3500 km range) are deployed on INS Arihant and INS Arighat.
India's heavy water (D2O) required for PHWRs is produced at which plant?
Correct Answer: C. Heavy Water Plants at multiple locations in India
India has established seven Heavy Water Plants (HWPs) at Nangal (Punjab), Baroda (Gujarat), Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu), Talcher (Odisha), Thal (Maharashtra), Hazira (Gujarat), and Manuguru (Telangana) under the Department of Atomic Energy. These plants have made India self-sufficient in heavy water production after Canada cut off supply in 1974. Heavy water is essential as moderator and coolant for India's PHWR nuclear power plants. India now also exports heavy water to countries like South Korea.
Dr. Raja Ramanna, who led the 1974 nuclear test, held which position in India's nuclear establishment?
Correct Answer: A. Chairman of AEC and Director of BARC
Dr. Raja Ramanna was Director of BARC and later Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He led the team of scientists who designed and executed India's first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) in 1974. He subsequently became Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Union Minister of State for Defence. Dr. Ramanna was one of India's most distinguished nuclear scientists and physicists, contributing significantly to both nuclear technology and basic physics research.