UPSC Mains 2025 · GS III · Q5 · 10 marks · 150 words

The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India’s contributions to the international fusion energy project – International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy ?

हिन्दी में

भारत में संलयन ऊर्जा कार्यक्रम का पिछले कुछ दशकों में निरंतर क्रमिक-विकास हुआ है । अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संलयन ऊर्जा परियोजना – अंतर्राष्ट्रीय तापनाभिकीय प्रायोगिक रिएक्टर (आई टी ई आर) में भारत के योगदान का उल्लेख कीजिए। वैश्विक ऊर्जा के भविष्य के लिए इस परियोजना की सफलता के क्या निहितार्थ होंगे ?

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “How does nuclear fusion differ from nuclear fission? Assess the relevance of nuclear energy in resolving the global energy security dilemma?”

Kunal RastogiAIR 15 · CSE 2023 · 209 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Albert Einsteins theory of Special Relativity gave famous formula E=MC^2 that forms the bedrock of Nuclear fission & fusion to convert mass into Energy

Nuclear FusionNuclear Fission
①Forms by combination①Forms by dissociation
H + neutron → H_2 + reduced massUranium^235 → Thorium + energy
②No radioactive end products②Radioactive end products.
③Naturally occurs in the sun③Artificially created in nuclear reactors
④Tremendous amount of energy④Relatively lower energy

Global Security dilemma:

Body · points and prose

  • Just Energy transition to renewable
  • VS
  • more energy production for development

Nuclear Energy in addressing dilemma: (1) Help create sustainable, endless source of safe, continuous energy (2) Help achieve target of Paris Pact (3) More energy creation can lead to better economic growth - eg IEA → 10% energy output increase → 0.5% GDP growth (4) Help end dependence on fossil fuel → huge source of geopolitical rivalry

ways to tap above

  • more global collaboration like ITER for tokomak tech
  • Safe use of Nuclear under watchful guidance of IAEA

Close · a framework

Above steps would aid in achieving SDG-7 of Clean Energy which is seminal for Sustainable development.

4 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper III, Q5. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.