UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 21 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2023 question on India Uranium Coal Dependence
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2023
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectIndian Economy
- TopicImportant Economic Concepts
- DifficultyHard
- TypeAssertion
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.
Statement-II:
Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Show answer
Answer: C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Analysis
Hence option (c) — Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect — is the correct answer.
Statement by statement
Statement I – CORRECT: India has uranium deposits (the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research has established 3,82,675 tonnes in situ U3O8 across multiple states). However, major production of electricity in India is achieved through coal based thermal power plants which is around 75% of the total power generation.
Statement II – INCORRECT: Uranium enriched to concentrations above 0.7% but less than 20% uranium-235 is defined as low enriched uranium (LEU). Most nuclear reactors use LEU that is about 3-5% uranium-235. Uranium enriched to more than 20% uranium-235 is defined as highly enriched uranium (HEU). 60% enrichment is not required for electricity production.