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India strengthens domestic uranium and thorium-based nuclear capability
ଖବରରେ କାହିଁକି?
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 ମିନିଟ
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.
ଉତ୍ସ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ତଥ୍ୟ
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.
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ · ମେନ୍ସ
How the exam will ask it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ
- 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.
ମେନ୍ସ
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
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: 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
In India's three-stage nuclear power programme conceived by Homi J. Bhabha, the third stage is designed around which fuel cycle?
- Natural uranium in pressurised heavy water reactors
- Plutonium in fast breeder reactors
- Enriched uranium in light water reactors
- Thorium with uranium-233 in advanced reactors
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: D — Correct: Thorium with uranium-233 in advanced reactors — The third stage uses thorium with uranium-233 in advanced reactors, to exploit India's large thorium reserves. • Natural uranium in pressurised heavy water reactors — wrong: Natural uranium in pressurised heavy water reactors is the first stage of the programme. • Plutonium in fast breeder reactors — wrong: Plutonium-fuelled fast breeder reactors form the second stage, not the third. • Enriched uranium in light water reactors — wrong: Enriched-uranium light water reactors are not a stage of the Bhabha plan; India's first stage uses heavy water reactors.
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