UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 11: Industrial, Chemical, Nuclear and Radiological Disasters (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 11: Industrial, Chemical, Nuclear and Radiological Disasters (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Disaster Management. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

In March 2023, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, hearing the Union's curative petition on the Bhopal gas disaster:

Correct Answer: C [dismissed the plea for additional compensation from Union Carbide's successor firms]

Explanation:

On 14 March 2023 the Constitution Bench dismissed the Union's curative petition seeking compensation beyond the 1989 settlement.

2.  

In the oleum gas leak case (1986), the Supreme Court held that compensation payable by a hazardous enterprise under absolute liability must be correlated to:

Correct Answer: A [the magnitude and capacity of the enterprise]

Explanation:

The Court linked compensation to the magnitude and capacity of the enterprise so that it would have a deterrent effect.

3.  

The Public Liability Insurance Act was enacted in:

Correct Answer: C [1991]

Explanation:

The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 made insurance compulsory for owners handling hazardous substances so that victims get no-fault relief.

4.  

The nodal ministry for chemical disasters in India is the Ministry of:

Correct Answer: C [Environment, Forest and Climate Change]

Explanation:

MoEFCC, which framed the Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996 under the Environment (Protection) Act, is the nodal ministry for chemical disasters.

5.  

The off-site emergency plan for a major-accident-hazard unit is prepared by the:

Correct Answer: A [District Collector]

Explanation:

Under the MSIHC Rules, 1989 the occupier prepares the on-site plan and the District Collector prepares the off-site emergency plan.

6.  

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was set up in:

Correct Answer: B [1983]

Explanation:

The AERB was constituted in 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to regulate nuclear and radiation safety.

7.  

The Mayapuri incident of 2010 in Delhi involved:

Correct Answer: D [a radioactive cobalt-60 source sold as scrap]

Explanation:

A cobalt-60 source from an old laboratory irradiator was sold as scrap at Mayapuri; workers were exposed and one died.

8.  

On the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, the Fukushima Daiichi accident was rated:

Correct Answer: D [level 7]

Explanation:

Fukushima Daiichi (2011), like Chernobyl (1986), was rated level 7, the highest level on the IAEA's INES scale.

9.  

The central coordinating authority for marine oil-spill response in India is the:

Correct Answer: B [Indian Coast Guard]

Explanation:

Under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, the Indian Coast Guard is the central coordinating authority for marine oil spills.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996 provide for crisis groups at four levels.
2. Absolute liability admits no exceptions.
3. The Bhopal settlement of 1989 was reached in the National Green Tribunal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct: the 1996 Rules set up four tiers of crisis groups, and absolute liability admits no exceptions.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 gives immediate relief to accident victims.

Reason (R): Relief under the Act is paid on a no-fault basis.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Because relief is no-fault, victims need not prove negligence, so the Act can pay immediate relief; R explains A.

12.  

The LG Polymers gas leak of 2020 at Visakhapatnam involved:

Correct Answer: A [styrene]

Explanation:

Styrene vapour leaked from the LG Polymers plant at Visakhapatnam on 7 May 2020, killing about 12 people.

13.  

The Major Accident Hazard units are identified under the:

Correct Answer: B [MSIHC Rules, 1989]

Explanation:

The MSIHC Rules, 1989 classify units storing hazardous chemicals above set threshold limits as Major Accident Hazard units.

14.  

Under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (since replaced by the SHANTI Act, 2025), primary liability for nuclear damage rested with the:

Correct Answer: D [operator of the nuclear installation]

Explanation:

The CLND Act, 2010 made the operator liable for nuclear damage, with a cap and a right of recourse against suppliers.

15.  

The Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act was enacted in:

Correct Answer: C [1985]

Explanation:

The Claims Act of 1985 let the Union of India represent the Bhopal victims in their claims against Union Carbide.

16.  

A radiological emergency is different from a nuclear emergency because it involves:

Correct Answer: B [a radioactive source outside a reactor]

Explanation:

A radiological emergency involves a radioactive source – lost, stolen or misused – in medicine, industry or scrap, not a reactor.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Bhopal gas tragedy
2. LG Polymers gas leak
3. Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act
4. Public Liability Insurance Act

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1-4-3-2]

Explanation:

1984, 1991, 2010, 2020.

18.  

The State Crisis Group under the Chemical Accidents Rules is chaired by the:

Correct Answer: A [Chief Secretary]

Explanation:

Under the Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996 the State Crisis Group is chaired by the Chief Secretary and reviews district plans.

19.  

Strict liability, as distinct from absolute liability, originated in:

Correct Answer: C [Rylands v. Fletcher]

Explanation:

The English case Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) laid down strict liability for dangerous things escaping from land, subject to exceptions.

20.  

Under the settlement approved by the Supreme Court in 1989, Union Carbide paid compensation for the Bhopal gas tragedy of:

Correct Answer: D [US$ 470 million]

Explanation:

In February 1989 the Supreme Court recorded a settlement of US$ 470 million, paid by Union Carbide.

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