Sci-Tech · 10 Aug 2026

Bharat Small Reactor exclusion zone

With reference to India's proposed changes for small nuclear reactors, consider the following statements:

  1. The land requirement for 2x220 MW PHWRs is proposed to fall from about 330 hectares to roughly 90 hectares.
  2. The standard exclusion zone of 1 km is proposed to be reduced to 500 metres for 220 MWe reactors and 700 metres for 700 MWe reactors.
  3. India aims to operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors by

How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll three
DNone

Tests precise recall and correct pairing of closely similar numerical figures (500m vs 700m exclusion zones) that are easily confused under exam pressure.

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This question is based on: The Nuclear Land Trick: How a Shrinking Safety Zone Could Unlock India's SMR Rollout
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 10 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

The Department of Atomic Energy told Parliament that shrinking exclusion zones around smaller reactors, following in-principle AERB safety clearance, is the real trigger enabling private players like Hindalco to move from interest to formal proposals for Bharat Small Reactors.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests precise numerical figures reported in parliamentary replies, where aspirants must recall exact figures rather than approximate ones - a hallmark of "how many correct" testing on policy statistics.

Prelims summary

India's DAE has proposed reducing exclusion zones from 1 km to 500m (220 MWe) and 700m (700 MWe) reactors, cutting land requirements from 330 to 90 hectares, as part of a plan for five indigenous SMRs by 2033.

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