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India strengthens domestic uranium and thorium-based nuclear capability
ಸುದ್ದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏಕೆ?
Why India bets on thorium, not uranium: the third-stage U-233 logic GS3 Energy answers need
Domestic uranium and thorium work aims to cut import dependence in nuclear energy.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2016; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ನಿಮಿಷ
India is working to strengthen domestic uranium production and thorium-based nuclear technology to improve energy security and reduce import dependence.
India's long-term plan is the three-stage nuclear programme, whose third stage is meant to use thorium with uranium-233.
Thorium is found in monazite sands along parts of the coast.
ಮೂಲಗಳು: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅಂಶಗಳು
Remember these
- India's long-term plan is the three-stage nuclear power programme, conceived by Homi J. Bhabha.
- Stage 1: natural uranium fuelled pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs).
- Stage 2: plutonium-fuelled fast breeder reactors.
- Stage 3: thorium with uranium-233 in advanced reactors.
- Thorium is found in monazite sands along parts of India's coast.
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್ · ಮೇನ್ಸ್
How the exam will ask it
ಪ್ರಿಲಿಮ್ಸ್
- Statement: The third stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme is designed to use thorium with uranium-233 as fuel.
- Statement: Thorium is itself not fissile; it is converted to fissile uranium-233 after neutron absorption.
- Statement: Monazite sands, found along parts of India's coast, are a source of thorium.
ಮೇನ್ಸ್
GS3 (Science and Technology; Energy security): India has limited uranium but large thorium reserves, so import dependence in nuclear fuel is a strategic concern. The three-stage programme is the policy answer, moving from natural uranium to plutonium breeders and finally thorium-U-233 reactors. The implication is long-term energy security and lower import dependence; the way forward is faster breeder deployment, domestic uranium mining and sustained R&D investment.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
- It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
- It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
- It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
- It can build fusion reactors for power generation
ಉತ್ತರ ನೋಡಿ
ಉತ್ತರ: D
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
ಹೋಮಿ ಜೆ. ಭಾಭಾ ರೂಪಿಸಿದ ಭಾರತದ ಮೂರು ಹಂತದ ಅಣುಶಕ್ತಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಮೂರನೇ ಹಂತ ಯಾವ ಇಂಧನ ಚಕ್ರವನ್ನು ಆಧರಿಸಿದೆ?
- ಒತ್ತಡಯುಕ್ತ ಭಾರಜಲ ರಿಯಾಕ್ಟರ್‌ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕ ಯುರೇನಿಯಂ
- ವೇಗ ಬ್ರೀಡರ್ ರಿಯಾಕ್ಟರ್‌ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ಲುಟೋನಿಯಂ
- ಲಘುಜಲ ರಿಯಾಕ್ಟರ್‌ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮೃದ್ಧ ಯುರೇನಿಯಂ
- ಮುಂದುವರಿದ ರಿಯಾಕ್ಟರ್‌ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಥೋರಿಯಂ ಮತ್ತು ಯುರೇನಿಯಂ-233
ಉತ್ತರ ನೋಡಿ
ಉತ್ತರ: D — ಮೂರನೇ ಹಂತವು ಭಾರತದ ವಿಶಾಲ ಥೋರಿಯಂ ನಿಕ್ಷೇಪವನ್ನು ಬಳಸಲು ಥೋರಿಯಂ ಮತ್ತು ಯುರೇನಿಯಂ-233 ಚಕ್ರವನ್ನು ಆಧರಿಸಿದೆ.
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