✅ Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyPairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched. Tarapur is in Maharashtra (first nuclear plant, 1969). Rawatbhata (RAPS) is in Rajasthan. Pair 3 is incorrect — Kudankulam is in Tamil Nadu (not Karnataka). Kaiga nuclear plant is in Karnataka. Kudankulam is the largest nuclear plant in India, built with Russian assistance. India has 7 nuclear power plants across the country.

✅ Answer: A) Kerala and Tamil Nadu (monazite sands)India’s thorium reserves are mainly found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the form of monazite sands along the coastal areas. India has about 25% of the world’s thorium reserves — the largest in the world. Monazite is a phosphate mineral containing thorium and rare earth elements. India’s 3-stage nuclear programme aims to eventually use thorium as the primary nuclear fuel, making India energy-independent.

✅ Answer: C) 2008India received the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) waiver in September 2008. This was a result of the India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement). The NSG waiver allowed India to trade in nuclear technology and fuel despite not signing the NPT. The NSG has 48 member countries. India has been trying to become a full NSG member but China has been blocking it. The waiver was a major diplomatic achievement for India.

✅ Answer: C) Boron or CadmiumControl rods in nuclear reactors are made of boron or cadmium — materials that absorb neutrons. By inserting or withdrawing control rods, operators can control the rate of the nuclear chain reaction. Inserting rods absorbs more neutrons → slows reaction. Withdrawing rods → speeds up reaction. In an emergency, control rods are fully inserted (SCRAM) to shut down the reactor. Graphite is used as a moderator (not control rods) in some reactors.

✅ Answer: C) RussiaThe Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu was built with Russian assistance (Rosatom). It uses VVER (Vodo-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reaktor) — a type of Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR). It is the largest nuclear plant in India with a capacity of 2,000 MW (2 units of 1,000 MW each). It became operational in 2013. Tarapur was built with US assistance; Rawatbhata with Canadian assistance.

✅ Answer: C) Prime Minister’s Office (directly under PM)The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) functions directly under the Prime Minister of India. This reflects the strategic importance of nuclear energy. DAE was established in 1954. It oversees BARC, NPCIL, AERB, UCIL, and other nuclear organisations. The PM is also the Minister of Atomic Energy. This arrangement ensures the highest level of oversight for India’s nuclear programme.

✅ Answer: C) The Sun and starsNuclear fusion powers the Sun and stars. In the Sun, hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse to form helium, releasing enormous energy. Fusion requires extremely high temperatures (~100 million°C). On Earth, fusion is used in hydrogen bombs (thermonuclear bombs). Scientists are working on controlled fusion for power generation (ITER project in France). Fusion produces much more energy than fission with minimal radioactive waste. Nuclear power plants use fission (not fusion).

✅ Answer: B) FranceThe ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project is located at Cadarache, France. It is an international project to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale energy source. ITER members: EU, USA, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, and India. India joined ITER in 2005. ITER uses a tokamak design — a donut-shaped magnetic confinement device. If successful, fusion could provide virtually unlimited clean energy.

✅ Answer: B) Heavy water (D₂O)India’s PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors) use heavy water (D₂O — deuterium oxide) as both moderator and coolant. Heavy water is more effective than ordinary water as a moderator because it absorbs fewer neutrons. This allows PHWRs to use natural uranium (without enrichment) as fuel. India produces heavy water at Heavy Water Plants in Baroda, Tuticorin, Talcher, and other locations. NPCIL operates India’s PHWRs.

✅ Answer: C) 3%Nuclear power contributes about 3% of India’s total electricity generation. India has 22 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of about 6,780 MW. Thermal power (coal) contributes ~70%, hydroelectric ~12%, and renewable energy (solar, wind) is growing rapidly. India aims to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031. The government plans to build 10 new PHWRs and import reactors from Russia, France, and USA.