India's uranium deposits vs coal dependence for electricity; uranium enrichment level required
Question
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?
Options
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct; India heavily relies on coal for thermal power generation despite domestic uranium reserves. Statement-II is definitively incorrect; commercial nuclear power reactors typically require low-enriched uranium (LEU), enriched to only about 3-5% U-235. Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) at 60% or above is weapons-grade material, not standard civilian reactor fuel.
Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2023
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q11
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Energy & Nuclear
Type
Assertion-Reason
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Geography Cl.12 Ch.7 / Indian Nuclear Power Programme
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