UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 85 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2020 question on IAEA Safeguards Reactors

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

  1. Some use uranium and others use thorium
  2. Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies.
  3. Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
  4. Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
Show answer

Answer: B. Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies.

The nuclear reactors in India are placed under IAEA safeguards only if they are fuelled by uranium procured from abroad.

There are at present 22 operational reactors, of which 14 are under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards as these use imported fuel. India currently imports uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada. Plans are also afoot to procure the fuel from Uzbekistan and Australia.

By placing the reactors under the IAEA safeguards, India gives the international nuclear energy watchdog access to them. This step was taken by the country in 2014 to demonstrate that its nuclear energy programme was for peaceful purposes. It was a necessary step under the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The reactors that use domestically-produced uranium (from India's own mines) are NOT under IAEA safeguards.

Hence option (b) — Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies — is the correct answer.

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