UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 55: Science and Technology

In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not ?

aSome use uranium and others use thorium

bSome use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies

cSome are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises

dSome are State-owned and others are privately-owned

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Under India's civil-military separation plan and the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA (2008), civilian reactors that use imported uranium were placed under IAEA safeguards, as part of the arrangement that opened nuclear trade for India. Reactors running on domestic uranium, and the military programme, stay outside. The difference is the source of fuel, not the fuel type, the operator or ownership.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: the dividing line is not uranium versus thorium.
(b) Right: safeguards go with imported uranium; domestic-fuel reactors are not covered.
(c) Wrong: Indian reactors are all run by Indian public sector bodies.
(d) Wrong: nuclear power in India is State-owned; there is no private versus State split.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.