Sci-Tech · 20 Aug 2026

SHANTI Act nuclear SMR

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Akademik Lomonosov, Russia's floating small modular reactor, has been operational since May 2020 and is currently the world's only commercially operating SMR.
  2. Indigenous Indian pressurised heavy water reactors cost less per MW-electric to build than Russian VVER reactors.
  3. The SHANTI Act, 2025 replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and targets 100 GW of nuclear capacity for India by 2047.
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: The Word "Operational" Just Decided Who Builds India's Small Reactors
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 20 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

A new SHANTI Rules eligibility clause requiring SMR designs to "already be operational" functions in practice as a market-access filter that currently only Russia's Akademik Lomonosov design can clear, given its six-year commercial head start over Western competitors.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests whether aspirants can spot a subtly overstated superlative ("only") planted alongside otherwise accurate facts - a common Prelims trap that rewards careful reading over rote recall.

Prelims summary

Akademik Lomonosov (Russia, operational since May 2020) and China's HTR-PM (operational since Dec 2023) are the world's only two commercially operating SMRs; Indian PHWRs cost less per MW-e than Russian VVERs; the SHANTI Act, 2025 replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, targeting 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.

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