In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Exam (Prelims) GS Official Paper-I (Held On: 2020)

Some use uranium and others use thorium
Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

IAEA Safeguards:
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards are applied to nuclear reactors that use imported uranium.
- This is a part of India's international agreements to ensure that imported uranium is not diverted to military uses, and remains for civilian purposes only.
Domestic vs Imported Uranium:
- Nuclear reactors in India that use domestically sourced uranium are not subject to IAEA safeguards because they are intended for both civilian and strategic purposes, including the nuclear weapons program.
- However, reactors that use imported uranium must be under IAEA safeguards to ensure that the material is used strictly for peaceful purposes.
Hence, option 2 is correct.

Additional InformationInternational Atomic Energy Agency:

International Atomic Energy Agency was established in 1957 and its headquarters are located in Vienna, Austria.
Currently, it has 171 members.
The latest member in Saint Lucia which joined the IAEA in 2019.
The IAEA’s three chief areas of work are:
- Safety and Security
- Science and technology Safeguards and
- verification