Why in News?
Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh invited Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear technology corporation, to establish Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Andhra Pradesh for power generation. He also proposed setting up a Nuclear Medicine and Food Irradiation Centre to boost India’s pharmaceutical sector and agricultural exports.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Rosatom is Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation and a global nuclear technology leader.
- SMRs produce up to 300 MWe per module — roughly one-third of a conventional nuclear plant’s output.
- SMRs are factory-fabricated and modular — components are transported by truck or train and assembled on-site (plug-and-play model).
- They use nuclear fission to generate heat, then steam, then electricity (clean energy).
- SMRs have a significantly smaller physical footprint compared to traditional nuclear power plants.
- India is developing three indigenous SMR models to support decarbonization and energy security.
India’s Indigenous SMR Models (Exam Static)
- BSMR-200 (Bharat Small Modular Reactor): 220 MWe, Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), uses Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU). Designed for commercial deployment and replacing retiring fossil-fuel plants.
- SMR-55: 55 MWe modular PWR. Focuses on flexible, localized power generation.
- HTGCR (High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor): 5 MWth. Primarily for hydrogen generation — supports industrial decarbonization and transport.
Interconnected Exam Concepts
- Nuclear Fission vs. Fusion: SMRs use fission (splitting heavy atoms like Uranium). Fusion (used in stars) is still experimental for power generation.
- Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR): Most common type of nuclear reactor worldwide; uses water as both coolant and moderator.
- India’s Nuclear Programme: Governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) oversees it; the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) operates plants.
- India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme: Stage 1 (PHWRs using natural uranium), Stage 2 (Fast Breeder Reactors using plutonium), Stage 3 (Thorium-based reactors). SMRs are complementary to this.
Quick Revision Table
| Parameter | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| SMR Capacity | Up to 300 MWe per module |
| Rosatom (Russia) | State-owned nuclear tech corporation |
| BSMR-200 Capacity | 220 MWe (PWR, uses SEU) |
| SMR-55 Capacity | 55 MWe (modular PWR) |
| HTGCR Capacity | 5 MWth (for hydrogen generation) |
| SMR Key Feature | Factory-fabricated, modular, plug-and-play |
| Nuclear Reaction Used | Fission (not fusion) |
| Nodal Body – Nuclear Energy | Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Common Confusion | Correct Fact |
|---|---|
| SMRs use nuclear fusion | Wrong — SMRs use nuclear fission |
| Rosatom is a private company | Wrong — it is state-owned by Russia |
| BSMR-200 uses natural uranium | Wrong — it uses Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU) |
| HTGCR is for electricity generation | Primarily for hydrogen generation, not electricity |
| SMRs replace India’s three-stage nuclear programme | They are complementary, not a replacement |
Practice MCQs
1. Which of the following best describes a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)?
a. A fusion-based reactor producing over 1000 MWe
b. A fission-based reactor producing up to 300 MWe per module
c. A hydrogen-powered turbine used in remote areas
d. A thorium-based reactor under India’s Stage 3 programme
Ans: B
SMRs are nuclear fission reactors that produce up to 300 MWe per module — far smaller than conventional nuclear plants (~1000 MWe+).
2. India’s indigenous BSMR-200 is classified as which type of reactor?
a. Fast Breeder Reactor using plutonium
b. High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
c. Pressurized Water Reactor using Slightly Enriched Uranium
d. Boiling Water Reactor using natural uranium
Ans: C
BSMR-200 is a 220 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) using Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU), intended for commercial deployment.
3. Rosatom, which was invited to set up SMRs in Andhra Pradesh, belongs to which country?
a. USA
b. France
c. China
d. Russia
Ans: D
Rosatom is Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation and one of the largest nuclear technology companies in the world.
4. Which of India’s indigenous SMR models is primarily designed for hydrogen generation?
a. BSMR-200
b. SMR-55
c. HTGCR
d. AHWR-300
Ans: C
The High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) with 5 MWth capacity is designed primarily for hydrogen generation to support industrial decarbonization.
5. Which department governs India’s nuclear energy programme?
a. Ministry of Power
b. Ministry of Science and Technology
c. Department of Atomic Energy
d. DRDO
Ans: C
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), under the Prime Minister’s Office, governs India’s nuclear energy programme. NPCIL under DAE operates nuclear plants.
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