UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies

Question 28: Science and Technology

In which one of the following areas did the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research make significant progress in the year 2005?

aRe-processing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor

bNew applications of radio-isotopes in metallurgy

cA new technology for production of heavy water

dA new technology for high-level nuclear waste management

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam runs India's fast reactor programme around the Fast Breeder Test Reactor. Its significant progress in 2005 was reprocessing the unique mixed uranium-plutonium carbide fuel of that reactor, a step needed to close the fuel cycle for fast breeders. The other options are generic nuclear-science headings, and the key accepts only the reprocessing achievement.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Correct: reprocessing the mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.
(b) Radio-isotope applications in metallurgy are not the achievement the key credits.
(c) Heavy water production technology is not the IGCAR advance the key names.
(d) High-level waste management is not the IGCAR achievement the key credits for 2005.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.