With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, the atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world.
Cross-paper GS1–GS3: raw materials for atomic energy, FBR vs thermal reactor and 'criticality', India's ITER role, nuclear expansion facts and fears, and the growth of nuclear science.
What to cover
Three-stage programme; thorium
PFBR Kalpakkam and criticality
ITER contributions
Safety, waste, liability law (CLNDA)
Writing the answer
Balance facts and fears
These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 5 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.