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Nuclear power programme

India's nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, uranium and the fuel cycle, waste, and the law on liability and private participation. Prelims has asked why India depends on coal despite having uranium deposits.

Foundation note: The three stage nuclear programme

UPSC has asked

Prelims 2023: why India depends on coal despite having uranium deposits

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Breeder reactor: A reactor that produces more fissile material than it consumes.

mixed oxide fuel: Mixed oxide (MOX) fuel: a blend of uranium and plutonium oxides.

First criticality: The moment a reactor first sustains a nuclear chain reaction on its own.

Small modular reactor: A factory built reactor of up to about 300 MWe, made in modules rather than poured in concrete on site.

Pressurised water reactor: A reactor cooled and moderated by ordinary water held at high pressure.

Burn up: The energy drawn from a given mass of nuclear fuel before it is spent and removed from the reactor.

copper chlorine cycle: A thermochemical process that uses heat to split water into hydrogen.

Special Drawing Rights: An international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and used as a unit of account rather than as a currency.

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