{"id":3985,"date":"2026-01-02T00:06:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T18:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=3985"},"modified":"2026-01-03T16:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T10:36:54","slug":"nuclear-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/nuclear-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear Energy in India – Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam<\/strong>, turn a turbine, and generate electricity. Compared to other forms of renewable energy, nuclear energy is considered beneficial, because of its\u00a0smaller land footprint<\/strong>\u00a0and the amount of waste it produces. Among all the developing nations, India is the only one to have generated electricity using indigenously developed, demonstrated, and deployed nuclear reactors.<\/p>\r\n

India ranks\u00a0third\u00a0<\/strong>in terms of electricity production worldwide; nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India.<\/p>\r\n

Potential of Nuclear Energy in India<\/h2>\r\n

India stands at\u00a0seventh position in terms of the number of nuclear reactors<\/strong>, with over\u00a022\u00a0nuclear reactors<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a07 power plants<\/strong>\u00a0across the country which produces\u00a06780 MW<\/strong>\u00a0of nuclear power.<\/p>\r\n

\"Potential<\/p>\r\n

With an aim to increase its atomic power contribution from\u00a03.2% to 5% by 2031,<\/strong>\u00a0the expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country\u2019s energy transition to meet the goal of a net zero economy.<\/p>\r\n

Nuclear Energy Resources in India<\/h2>\r\n

In terms of nuclear energy sources, India possesses a small uranium resource but a sizable thorium resource. Both uranium and thorium have unique properties that govern their use in nuclear reactors. However, unlike uranium, thorium cannot be used as nuclear fuel in a reactor on its own. India faces challenges in meeting its growing energy demand due to import dependency and inconsistent energy sector reforms.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  • BP's Energy Outlook<\/strong>\u00a0predicts a 156% rise in India's energy consumption from 2017 to 2040.<\/li>\r\n\t
  • In 2022-23, India plans to import\u00a0100 tonnes<\/strong>\u00a0of natural uranium, with existing agreements in place with\u00a0Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan<\/strong>\u00a0for uranium purchases.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Uranium Deposits in India<\/h3>\r\n

    The uranium ore mining and processing industry of the country began at Jaduguda in 1968.<\/p>\r\n

    \"Uranium<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    • The first uranium deposit in India<\/strong>\u00a0was found in 1951 at\u00a0Jaduguda, in the Singhbhum Thrust Belt\u00a0<\/strong>(Jharkhand).\r\n\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • Operating mines:\u00a0<\/strong>Jaduguda Mine, Bhatin Mine, Narwapahar Mine, and Turamdih Mine.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Additionally, a number of uranium occurrences have been discovered in\u00a0Andhra Pradesh's Cuddapah basin.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
      • In the\u00a0Mahadek basin of Meghalaya<\/strong>, sandstone-type uranium deposits like\u00a0Domiasiat, Wahkhyn, and Mawsynram<\/strong>\u00a0are found.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Other areas in\u00a0Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh<\/strong>\u00a0hold promise for developing into some major deposits.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Thorium Deposits in India<\/h3>\r\n

        India has reserves of thorium in\u00a0sufficient quantities\u00a0<\/strong>as compared to other parts of the world.<\/p>\r\n

        \"Thorium<\/p>\r\n

          \r\n\t
        • Monazite sands\u00a0<\/strong>on India's east and west\u00a0coasts<\/strong>, as well as in some areas of\u00a0Bihar<\/strong>,\u00a0contain thorium.<\/strong>\r\n
            \r\n\t
          • On the\u00a0Kerala coast,<\/strong>\u00a0however, there is a much\u00a0higher concentration<\/strong>\u00a0of monazite sand. Monazite sands have been estimated to contain more than\u00a015,200 tonnes of uranium.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
          • The main producing states:\u00a0Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Kerala.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Nuclear Power Plants in India<\/h2>\r\n

            The operation phase of a nuclear power plant is generally the longest phase of its life cycle. In India, there are\u00a04\u00a0<\/strong>Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and\u00a019\u00a0<\/strong>Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in total.<\/p>\r\n

            \"Nuclear<\/p>\r\n

              \r\n\t
            • The\u00a0first largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar\u00a0<\/strong>Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in\u00a0Gujarat\u00a0<\/strong>began operations at full capacity.<\/li>\r\n\t
            • The country is planning to construct\u00a012 new nuclear power reactors by 2024.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
            • Reactors under IAEA safeguards:\u00a0<\/strong>India's fourteen nuclear reactors are under IAEA safeguards due to their use of imported fuel.\r\n\r\n
                \r\n\t
              • In 2014, India placed its reactors under IAEA safeguards, granting the international nuclear watchdog access, and showcasing its\u00a0peaceful nuclear energy intent.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                India's Three-stage Nuclear Power Programme<\/h2>\r\n

                India's three-stage nuclear power programme was formulated by Dr Homi Bhabha in the 1950s to secure the country's long-term energy independence through the use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the\u00a0monazite sands<\/strong>\u00a0of the coastal region of\u00a0South India.<\/strong>\u00a0India is currently in the\u00a0second stage<\/strong>\u00a0of its ambitious nuclear program.<\/p>\r\n

                  \r\n\t
                • The program's ultimate goal is to make it possible for India to use its thorium reserves to meet the nation's energy needs.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Additionally,\u00a0NITI Aayog Proposed\u00a0<\/strong>that the government concentrate on establishing\u00a0small modular reactors\u00a0<\/strong>with\u00a0private investment<\/strong>\u00a0to address India's energy requirements and replace ageing thermal power plants.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Stage 1: Natural Uranium Fuelled Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/h3>\r\n

                  In the first stage,\u00a0natural uranium<\/strong>\u00a0was used as fuel for\u00a0Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors,\u00a0<\/strong>which also produced\u00a0plutonium-239<\/strong>\u00a0as a byproduct while generating electricity. The\u00a0second stage\u00a0<\/strong>would also\u00a0utilize the byproduct<\/strong>\u00a0plutonium-293.<\/p>\r\n

                  The\u00a0main reasons for selecting PHWRs\u00a0<\/strong>for the First Stage of the Indian nuclear power programme in the 1960s were:<\/p>\r\n

                    \r\n\t
                  • The use of natural uranium oxide as the fuel.<\/li>\r\n\t
                  • The best utilisation of mined uranium in energy production.<\/li>\r\n\t
                  • The prospect of establishing a completely self-sufficient technology.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                    Advantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDisadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                    \r\n

                    - There is\u00a0no need for enrichment.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

                      \r\n\t
                    • As heavy water allows natural uranium to be burned directly.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                      - As enrichment is avoided, no depleted\u00a0uranium tails<\/strong>\u00a0are made.<\/p>\r\n

                        \r\n\t
                      • This allows efficient use of the uranium resource.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                        - The reactor can be\u00a0refuelled<\/strong>\u00a0without shutting it down, avoiding the downtime required by most other reactors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

                    		\r\n

                    - It needs\u00a0pure heavy water.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

                      \r\n\t
                    • Hence, water systems must be carefully sealed and monitored.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                      - Heavy water absorbs neutrons, forming\u00a0tritium\u00a0<\/strong>(H-3), a\u00a0low-level radioactive hazard<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

                        \r\n\t
                      • They produce more tritium than light-water reactors due to their heavy water content.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

                        Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) Utilizing Plutonium-Based Fuel<\/h3>\r\n

                        The second stage involves using\u00a0plutonium-239\u00a0<\/strong>to produce mixed-oxide fuel, which would be used in\u00a0Fast Breeder Reactors.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

                          \r\n\t
                        • Furthermore, thorium will be used in the reactor to create\u00a0uranium-233<\/strong>\u00a0once there is a sufficient stockpile of plutonium-239. This uranium is essential for the third stage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                          \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                          Advantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDisadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          \r\n

                          -\u00a0Safe and efficient.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

                          -\u00a0Green energy source<\/strong>\u00a0because waste from the first stage nuclear program is reprocessed and used as fuel in FBR.<\/p>\r\n

                          - Capability of efficient\u00a0utilization of uranium.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

                          		\r\n

                          - FBRs are cooled by liquid sodium, which\u00a0reacts explosively<\/strong>\u00a0with both air and water.<\/p>\r\n

                            \r\n\t
                          • As a result, even a minor leak of sodium coolant can start a fire.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                            - FBRs\u00a0containment dome<\/strong>\u00a0is not as strong as in other reactors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

                            Stage 3: Advanced Nuclear Power Systems for Utilization of Thorium<\/h3>\r\n

                            The primary goal of stage 3 is to achieve a long-term nuclear fuel cycle. The advanced nuclear system would combine\u00a0thorium and uranium-233.\u00a0<\/strong>So, using a thermal breeder reactor, India's abundant thorium would be utilized. This stage is\u00a0currently in the research phase.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

                            \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                            Advantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDisadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                            \r\n

                            - Thorium, in a water-cooled or molten-salt reactor,\u00a0can generate more uranium-233<\/strong>\u00a0than it consumes.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Thorium's abundance and ability to create fissile material offer a\u00a0lasting energy solution<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Thorium reactors may be greener, yielding less long-lived nuclear waste than uranium reactors.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Thorium fuels are\u00a0deemed proliferation-resistant<\/strong>, unlike uranium fuels, as they don't produce plutonium.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

                            		\r\n

                            - Extracting the abundant metal is currently\u00a0expensive<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Require\u00a0substantial investments\u00a0<\/strong>for testing, analysis, and licensing.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Thorium is\u00a0'fertile' and non-fissile<\/strong>, needing a fissile material like recycled plutonium for a chain reaction.<\/p>\r\n

                            -\u00a0High temperatures\u00a0<\/strong>are essential due to the elevated melting point of thorium oxide for high-density production.<\/p>\r\n

                            - Large amounts of Uranium-232 in irradiated thorium fuels can lead to\u00a0substantial gamma-ray emissions.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n

                            Institutions of Nuclear Energy in India<\/h2>\r\n

                            Important energy policy organizations of the Government of India, such as\u00a0NITI Aayog\u00a0<\/strong>and the Central Electricity Authority), have renewed their focus on nuclear power to assist India in achieving its goals for the clean energy transition.<\/p>\r\n

                              \r\n\t
                            • Atomic Energy Commission:\u00a0<\/strong>The AEC of India is the governing body of the\u00a0Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)<\/strong>. The DAE is under the direct charge of the\u00a0Prime Minister.<\/strong>\r\n
                                \r\n\t
                              • The\u00a0functions of the AEC are to<\/strong>\u00a0organize research in atomic science in the country, train atomic scientists in the country, and promote nuclear research in the commission's own laboratories in India.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                              • Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB):<\/strong>\u00a0It was formed in 1983 and comes under the\u00a0Atomic Energy Commission<\/strong>. It oversees\u00a0nuclear safety regulations<\/strong>\u00a0and their implementation.<\/li>\r\n\t
                              • Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL):\u00a0<\/strong>NPCIL is the owner and operator of every nuclear power plant in India, except for the\u00a0Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor<\/strong>\u00a0(PFBR<\/strong>).\r\n\r\n
                                  \r\n\t
                                • It is responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of nuclear power reactors.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                                • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre:<\/strong>\u00a0It operates under the\u00a0DAE<\/strong>\u00a0and its core mandate is to sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy. It oversees every aspect of nuclear power production.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                  Advantages of Nuclear Energy in India<\/h2>\r\n

                                  India's growing energy demand necessitates optimal utilization of all energy sources, with nuclear power showing significant potential for sustainable long-term energy security.<\/p>\r\n

                                    \r\n\t
                                  • Energy security:\u00a0<\/strong>India's nuclear power could provide a reliable solution to the country's power demand in contrast to wind and solar, which are not available around the clock.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                  • Reduction in GHGs:<\/strong>\u00a0Nuclear power plants produce\u00a0no significant levels of greenhouse gasses\u00a0<\/strong>or pollutants. This could reduce India's contribution to\u00a0global Green House Gases (GHGs),<\/strong>\u00a0which currently stands at\u00a06.55%,<\/strong>\u00a0with the energy sector accounting for slightly more than two-thirds of it.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                  • Sustainable future:<\/strong>\u00a0With an aim to increase its atomic power contribution from\u00a03.2%<\/strong>\u00a0to 5% by 2031, this surge in the nuclear energy contribution in India will help the country lead towards a more sustainable and economic future.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                  • Weather-independent power:<\/strong>\u00a0Renewable energy such as solar and wind power face limitations tied to weather conditions and land needs. In comparison, nuclear energy offers consistent, weather-independent power with a smaller land footprint.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                    Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy in India<\/h2>\r\n

                                    The following are the limitations of nuclear energy:<\/p>\r\n

                                      \r\n\t
                                    • Limited participation of the private sector:<\/strong>\u00a0India permits private involvement in nuclear plant technology and construction, but operations and fuel management remain under public sector control.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                    • Nuclear liability issues:<\/strong>\u00a0India\u2019s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010, remains an item on the \u201cagenda which was brought in addition to the International Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC), is considered excessive by foreign companies, which could be liable to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in the event of a nuclear accident.\r\n\r\n
                                        \r\n\t
                                      • As a result, despite signing civil nuclear deals with several countries, including the U.S., France and Japan, the only foreign presence in India is that of Russia in Kudankulam, projects that predate the Law.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                                      • Challenges for Atomic Energy Regulatory Board:<\/strong>\u00a0The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board faces multiple challenges in regulating dispersed nuclear and radiation facilities, meeting modern safety expectations, and ensuring security for a large number of radioactive sources.<\/li>\r\n\t
                                      • Uranium scarcity and import dependency:\u00a0<\/strong>India's uranium scarcity necessitates regular imports, causing fuel supply uncertainties and placing the country's energy interests in the hands of foreign suppliers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                                        \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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                                        6G Technology<\/td>\r\nGPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        Difference between LAN, MAN and WAN<\/td>\r\nSupercomputer<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        LIGO India<\/td>\r\nISRO Additional text to be added here.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                        Nuclear energy is generated through controlled reactions of atomic nuclei, producing vast amounts of power. It’s a controversial but efficient source of electricity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":20181,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[248,40],"class_list":{"0":"post-3985","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-3","8":"tag-nuclear-energy-in-india","9":"tag-quest"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3985"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19900,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3985\/revisions\/19900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}