India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
A
It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
B
It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
C
It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
D
It can build fusion reactors for power generation
Correct Answer
Explanation
Option (d) is correct because ITER is an international research project designed to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source, which would enable India to build its own commercial fusion reactors. Option (a) is the most tempting distractor but is incorrect because the utilization of thorium is a goal of India’s domestic three-stage nuclear program based on nuclear fission, not fusion. The core concept being tested is the distinction between nuclear fission and fusion and the specific technological objective of the ITER megaproject.
Science & TechnologyNuclear Energy & International CollaborationsInternational Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)nuclear fusionpower generationIndiafusion reactorsclean energy