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
Correct Answer
D
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct because coal remains the mainstay of India's power sector (accounting for over 70% of generation) despite domestic uranium reserves, while Statement-II is incorrect because commercial nuclear power plants typically require uranium enriched to only 3-5%, not 60%. Option (a) is the most tempting wrong choice for those who mistake high enrichment levels for a standard civilian requirement, whereas 60% enrichment is actually associated with highly enriched uranium (HEU) used in specialized reactors or weapons. The core concept tested is India’s energy mix and the technical requirements of the nuclear fuel cycle for electricity production.
Economic GeographyEnergy Resources and Nuclear EnergyUranium depositsCoal dependenceElectricity productionUranium enrichmentLow-enriched uranium (LEU)