PFBR criticality and India's three-stage nuclear plan

1. Question 1Answer A

   The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attained first criticality on which date?

   • ACorrect answer: 6 April 2026
   • B6 April 2024
   • C26 April 2026
   • D6 March 2026

   Core Trigger: The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attained first criticality on 6 April 2026.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   Which reactor type follows PHWRs in India's three-stage nuclear programme?

   • AMolten salt reactors
   • BBoiling water reactors
   • CPressurised water reactors
   • DCorrect answer: Fast breeder reactors

   Key Stage: It opens stage two of the three-stage programme: PHWRs first, fast breeders next, thorium reactors last.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 2

3. Question 3Answer A

   Which company built the PFBR?

   • ACorrect answer: BHAVINI
   • BBARC
   • CIGCAR
   • DNPCIL

   Builder: IGCAR designed the reactor; Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) built it, after AERB clearance.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 3

4. Question 4Answer A

   Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Stage three uses thorium in the AHWR. 2. Uranium is abundant in India's monazite sands.

   • ACorrect answer: Only 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither

   Key Term: Stage three uses thorium in the AHWR; thorium is abundant in India's monazite sands, uranium is scarce.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 4

5. Question 5Answer D

   Construction of the PFBR began in which year?

   • A1998
   • B2001
   • C2008
   • DCorrect answer: 2004

   Timeline: Construction began in 2004, with completion expected in 2010.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 5

6. Question 6Answer B

   Thorium-HALEU fuel ANEEL completed a high-burnup test at which laboratory?

   • AOak Ridge National Laboratory
   • BCorrect answer: Idaho National Laboratory
   • CLos Alamos National Laboratory
   • DArgonne National Laboratory

   Stakeholders: Cameco supplies uranium; thorium-HALEU fuel ANEEL completed a high-burnup test at Idaho National Laboratory.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 6

7. Question 7Answer C

   In which state is the PFBR located?

   • AKerala
   • BAndhra Pradesh
   • CCorrect answer: Tamil Nadu
   • DKarnataka

   Location: PFBR is at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu; Kudankulam, also in Tamil Nadu, was built with Russian cooperation.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 8

8. Question 8Answer B

   The Department of Atomic Energy was set up in which year?

   • A1950
   • BCorrect answer: 1954
   • C1948
   • D1957

   Founded: Homi J. Bhabha conceived the three-stage programme in the 1950s; the Department of Atomic Energy was set up in 1954.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 9

9. Question 9Answer D

   The SHANTI Act 2025 (Act 39 of 2025) was assented to on which date?

   • A20 January 2026
   • B20 November 2025
   • C21 December 2025
   • DCorrect answer: 20 December 2025

   Landmark: The SHANTI Act 2025 (Act 39 of 2025) was assented to on 20 December 2025 and gazetted on 21 December.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 10

10. Question 10Answer C

    Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Section 1(2) makes the SHANTI Act operative on a notified date. 2. Absolute liability comes from M.C. Mehta (1987).

    • AOnly 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
    • DNeither

    Statute: Section 1(2) makes it operative on a notified date; only then are the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and the 2010 liability Act repealed. Doctrine: Absolute liability, laid down in M.C. Mehta v Union of India (1987), applies to enterprises engaged in hazardous activity.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 251, point 11, point 12

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