1995 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 130: Science and Technology

‘Yellow cake’, an item of smuggling across borders is

aa crude form of heroin
ba crude form of cocaine
curanium oxide
dunrefined gold

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Yellow cake is uranium oxide concentrate (U3O8), the yellow powder produced when uranium ore is milled and treated. It is an intermediate product on the way to nuclear fuel, and its smuggling is a concern because it can be enriched for reactors or weapons. Remember: yellow cake means uranium oxide.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Crude heroin is not called yellow cake.
  • (b) Crude cocaine is not called yellow cake.
  • (c) Right: uranium oxide.
  • (d) Unrefined gold is not called yellow cake.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.