1. India’s planned expansion to 100 GWe nuclear capacity is expected to rely primarily on fast breeder reactors.
2. Known global uranium resources are sufficient to sustain projected global nuclear capacity for more than a century under once-through fuel use.
3. Nuclear fuel recycling can significantly enhance the energy potential of nuclear fuel compared to once-through use.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 – Incorrect: The 100 GWe mission is stated to consist largely of thermal reactors, not fast breeder reactors. FBRs belong to the second stage and are still decades away from large-scale deployment.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: Global uranium resources (~8 million tonnes) can sustain expanded nuclear capacity (~1400 GWe) for only about three decades in once-through mode, not a century.
Statement 3 – Correct: Nuclear recycling increases energy extraction from fuel by 50–100 times, making it a key solution to uranium scarcity.
Reason (R): Thorium fuel cycles avoid the production of fissile materials that can be diverted for nuclear weapons.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Assertion – Correct: Thorium is highlighted as offering “virtually eliminates proliferation risk”, making it strategically superior.
Reason – Correct: Thorium cycles produce uranium-233 under controlled conditions and do not generate easily weaponisable plutonium streams like conventional cycles, reducing diversion risks.
Link: The reduced proliferation risk is precisely because of the altered fissile material pathway in thorium cycles.
1. Atomic clocks onboard satellites are essential for determining location by measuring signal travel time.
2. NavIC provides better signal availability over India than GPS due to its satellite placement.
3. Failure of atomic clocks affects only communication services and not positioning accuracy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct: Positioning systems rely on precise time measurement using atomic clocks to calculate distance based on signal travel time.
Statement 2 – Correct: NavIC satellites are placed directly over the Indian region, ensuring better signal availability, especially in difficult terrains like valleys and forests.
Statement 3 – Incorrect: Atomic clock failure directly impacts positioning accuracy, not just communication. Without accurate timing, location determination becomes unreliable.
Reason (R): L1 frequency is the most commonly used signal band by global navigation systems such as GPS.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Assertion – Correct: The introduction of L1 enhances compatibility with widely used systems, enabling integration in devices like smartphones and wearables.
Reason – Correct: L1 is the standard frequency used by GPS, making it crucial for interoperability.
Link: Since other GNSS systems use L1, NavIC adopting it ensures seamless multi-system usage.
| System | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| 1. GPS | A. Mix of medium-earth and geosynchronous orbits |
| 2. BeiDou | B. Primarily medium-earth orbit constellation |
| 3. NavIC | C. Satellites placed in geosynchronous orbits over a specific region |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Pair 1 – Incorrect: GPS satellites are placed in medium-earth orbit only (~20,000 km), not a mix of orbits.
Pair 2 – Correct: China’s BeiDou uses a hybrid constellation of medium-earth and geosynchronous satellites.
Pair 3 – Correct: NavIC uses geosynchronous orbit satellites positioned over India, making it a regional system.
1. RRBs function as cooperative banks since their ownership includes State Governments and sponsor banks.
2. RRBs are exempted from standard banking regulations of the Reserve Bank of India due to their developmental role.
3. The higher Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target of RRBs implies a narrower operational flexibility compared to other commercial banks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 – Incorrect: RRBs are Scheduled Commercial Banks, not cooperative banks; ownership pattern does not determine classification.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: RRBs are regulated by RBI and supervised by NABARD; their developmental role does not exempt them from regulation.
Statement 3 – Correct: A higher Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target (75% vs ~40% for other banks) restricts portfolio flexibility.
1. NMDC is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel.
2. NMDC is the largest producer of iron ore in India and also undertakes exploration of minerals such as copper and limestone.
3. NMDC is the only organised producer of diamond in India, operating a mine in Chhattisgarh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct: NMDC is a CPSE under the Ministry of Steel.
Statement 2 – Correct: It is India’s largest iron ore producer and explores minerals like copper and limestone.
Statement 3 – Incorrect: The diamond mine operated by NMDC is at Panna (Madhya Pradesh), not Chhattisgarh.
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