UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 11: Science and Technology
Consider the following organisations: I. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration II. Heavy Water Board III. Indian Rare Earths Limited IV. Uranium Corporation of India Which of these is/are under the Department of Atomic Energy?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
All four bodies come under the Department of Atomic Energy. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration finds atomic minerals, the Heavy Water Board makes heavy water for reactors, Indian Rare Earths Ltd processes beach-sand minerals, and Uranium Corporation of India Ltd mines uranium at Jaduguda. Remember that the DAE covers the chain from mineral exploration to nuclear power.
- I. AMD is a DAE unit that explores for atomic minerals.
- II. The Heavy Water Board is a DAE unit.
- III. Indian Rare Earths Ltd is a DAE public sector company.
- IV. Uranium Corporation of India Ltd is a DAE public sector company.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Too few: AMD is only one of the four DAE bodies.
- (b) Leaves out the Heavy Water Board and Indian Rare Earths, which are also DAE bodies.
- (c) Leaves out AMD, which is also a DAE unit.
- (d) Right: all four are under the DAE.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.