UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 19: Energy Technologies – Nuclear, Hydrogen, Batteries and Renewables (33 MCQs)

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UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 19: Energy Technologies – Nuclear, Hydrogen, Batteries and Renewables (33 MCQs) – 33 questions, subject: Science & Technology. 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 a nuclear reactor, the moderator is used to:

Correct Answer: C [slow down neutrons]

Explanation:

A moderator such as heavy water, light water or graphite slows fast neutrons so they can sustain fission.

2.  

The first stage of India's nuclear programme is based on:

Correct Answer: D [pressurised heavy water reactors using natural uranium]

Explanation:

Stage 1 uses PHWRs fuelled by natural uranium with heavy water, producing plutonium-239 for Stage 2.

3.  

The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has been built by:

Correct Answer: D [Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)]

Explanation:

BHAVINI, a public-sector company under the Department of Atomic Energy, built the PFBR at Kalpakkam.

4.  

ITER is being built in:

Correct Answer: B [France]

Explanation:

Cadarache.

5.  

Green hydrogen is produced by:

Correct Answer: C [electrolysis of water using renewable power]

Explanation:

Green hydrogen comes from splitting water by electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, so no CO2 is released.

6.  

Incentives for electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production under the National Green Hydrogen Mission are given through the programme called:

Correct Answer: B [SIGHT]

Explanation:

SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) gives incentives for electrolysers and green hydrogen production.

7.  

The anode of a typical lithium-ion battery is made of:

Correct Answer: D [graphite]

Explanation:

Graphite is the usual anode; cobalt, nickel and manganese go into lithium-compound cathodes.

8.  

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for:

Correct Answer: A [lithium-ion batteries]

Explanation:

Goodenough, Whittingham and Yoshino shared the 2019 Chemistry Nobel for developing lithium-ion batteries.

9.  

Rooftop solar for one crore households is supported under:

Correct Answer: A [PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana]

Explanation:

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) supports rooftop solar for one crore households.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Fusion joins light nuclei such as deuterium and tritium.
2. Fusion produces less long-lived radioactive waste than fission.
3. Commercial fusion power plants are now running in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are true; statement 3 fails because fusion power is still experimental.

11.  

Assertion (A): Grid-scale storage is essential for a power system with a large share of solar and wind.

Reason (R): Solar and wind output varies with the time of day and weather.

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

Explanation:

Storage is needed precisely because solar and wind output varies, so R correctly explains A.

12.  

India's tokamaks Aditya and SST-1 are at the:

Correct Answer: B [Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar]

Explanation:

Aditya and SST-1, India's tokamaks, are operated by the Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar.

13.  

Flow batteries, used for large and long-life grid storage, store energy in:

Correct Answer: D [liquid electrolytes kept in external tanks]

Explanation:

Flow batteries keep energy in liquid electrolytes stored in tanks, so capacity grows simply with larger tanks.

14.  

Sodium-ion batteries are being developed as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries mainly because sodium is:

Correct Answer: D [cheaper and far more abundant than lithium]

Explanation:

Sodium is cheap and widely available, unlike lithium, whose supply is concentrated in a few countries.

15.  

Solar thermal plants often store energy for night-time use in:

Correct Answer: C [molten salt]

Explanation:

Molten salt stores the Sun's heat in solar thermal plants so steam and power can be produced after sunset.

16.  

SATAT promotes:

Correct Answer: B [compressed biogas]

Explanation:

SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) promotes compressed biogas plants.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. National Green Hydrogen Mission
2. PM-KUSUM
3. India joins ITER
4. Launch of the International Solar Alliance

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Explanation:

2005, 2015, 2019, 2023.

18.  

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) mainly traps CO₂ from:

Correct Answer: A [power-plant and factory exhausts]

Explanation:

CCUS captures CO2 at point sources such as power-plant and factory chimneys before it reaches the air.

19.  

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are:

Correct Answer: C [small, factory-built fission reactors]

Explanation:

SMRs are small nuclear fission reactors whose modules can be built in factories and assembled on site.

20.  

India's indigenous 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors are now operating at:

Correct Answer: C [Kakrapar and Rajasthan]

Explanation:

Indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs now operate at Kakrapar (Gujarat) and Rajasthan (Rawatbhata).

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following types of vehicles:

I. Full battery electric vehicles

II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

III. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles

How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?

Correct Answer: C [All the three]

Explanation:

Battery-electric, hydrogen fuel-cell and fuel-cell–electric hybrid vehicles all replace the conventional combustion powertrain.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements:

I. Cobalt

II. Graphite

III. Lithium

IV. Nickel

How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?

Correct Answer: C [Only three]

Explanation:

graphite is the anode.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

With reference to 'Direct Air Capture' an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?

I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.

II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.

III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create low-carbon fuel.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: C [I, II and III]

Explanation:

Captured CO2 can be stored underground, used in plastics and food processing, or combined with hydrogen for low-carbon fuel.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following materials:

1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste

Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Correct Answer: C [1, 2, 3 and 4]

Explanation:

Agricultural residues, corn grain, wastewater sludge and wood-mill waste are all recognised feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements:

1. RTGs are miniature fission reactors.
2. RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecraft.
3. RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

RTGs use radioactive decay, not fission.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen?

Correct Answer: D [Water vapour]

Explanation:

A hydrogen fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen, so its only exhaust is water vapour.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?

Correct Answer: C [Long duration energy storage]

Explanation:

Pumped storage pumps water uphill when power is surplus and generates later, giving long-duration energy storage.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following:

1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units

How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources"?

Correct Answer: D [All four]

Explanation:

Battery storage, biomass generators, fuel cells and rooftop PV are all small sources near the point of use.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:

1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]

Explanation:

Solar power can run surface and submersible pumps, and both centrifugal and piston pumps, so both statements fail.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

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

Correct Answer: B [Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies]

Explanation:

Under the 2008 civil–military separation, reactors using imported uranium are under IAEA safeguards; those on domestic fuel are not.

31.  
UPSC Prelims 2016

India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

Correct Answer: D [It can build fusion reactors for power generation]

Explanation:

ITER is a fusion experiment, so its success would let India build fusion reactors for power.

32.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

With reference to 'fuel cells' in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements:

1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

Only statement 1 is true: pure-hydrogen fuel cells emit heat and water; they give DC and can power laptops.

33.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

With reference to technology for solar power production, consider the following statements:

1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilises the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in the electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal Technology but not for photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

Only statement 1 is true: PV gives DC, not AC, and India manufactures PV cells and modules.

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