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Topic 251 · Science, Technology & Space

PFBR criticality and India's three-stage nuclear plan

10 MCQs · tap an option to check it · All answers

Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attained first criticality on 6 April 2026.
Key Stage: It opens stage two of the three-stage programme: PHWRs first, fast breeders next, thorium reactors last.
Builder: IGCAR designed the reactor; Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) built it, after AERB clearance.
Key Term: Stage three uses thorium in the AHWR; thorium is abundant in India's monazite sands, uranium is scarce.
Timeline: Construction began in 2004, with completion expected in 2010.
Stakeholders: Cameco supplies uranium; thorium-HALEU fuel ANEEL completed a high-burnup test at Idaho National Laboratory.
India Link: Once fully operational, India becomes the second country after Russia running a commercial fast breeder.
Location: PFBR is at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu; Kudankulam, also in Tamil Nadu, was built with Russian cooperation.
Founded: Homi J. Bhabha conceived the three-stage programme in the 1950s; the Department of Atomic Energy was set up in 1954.
Landmark: The SHANTI Act 2025 (Act 39 of 2025) was assented to on 20 December 2025 and gazetted on 21 December.
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Section 1(2) makes it operative on a notified date; only then are the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and the 2010 liability Act repealed.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.

Question 1 of 10

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

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Answer: (A) 6 April 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

Question 2 of 10

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

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 3 of 10

Which company built the PFBR?

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Answer: (A) BHAVINI

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

Question 4 of 10

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

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Answer: (A) Only 1

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

Question 5 of 10

Construction of the PFBR began in which year?

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Answer: (D) 2004

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

Question 6 of 10

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

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Answer: (B) Idaho 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

Question 7 of 10

In which state is the PFBR located?

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Answer: (C) Tamil Nadu

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

Question 8 of 10

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

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Answer: (B) 1954

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

Question 9 of 10

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

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 10 of 10

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).

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

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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