Q11 · UPSC Prelims 2023 · Set A · Economy

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Consider the following statements:Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
C Statement-I is correct but statement- II is incorrect
D Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Correct answer: (c) Statement-I is correct but statement- II is incorrect

Explanation

  1. A

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    Both correct and II explains I. Statement-II is false: power reactors use low-enriched uranium, not 60%.

  2. B

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    Both correct but II does not explain I. II is still false.

  3. C

    Statement-I is correct but statement- II is incorrect

    I correct, II incorrect. India is coal-heavy in electricity despite uranium; civil power needs ~3–5% enrichment, not 60%.

  4. D

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    I incorrect, II correct. Coal still dominates Indian generation.

Summary. Official key is (c). Statement-I is right: most Indian electricity is still coal-fired even though the country has uranium. Statement-II confuses weapons-grade / highly enriched uranium (~90%, or 20%+ HEU) with power-reactor fuel, which is natural or low-enriched uranium (typically under 5%). Sixty per cent is not a civil-power requirement, so II does not explain I.