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?
Show answer
Answer: C. Statement-I is correct: coal produces about 70 percent of India's electricity even though India has some uranium. Statement-II is wrong: power reactors use natural uranium (India's PHWRs) or low-enriched uranium of about 3 to 5 percent, not 60 percent. So I is correct and II is incorrect.
Watch for: Highly enriched uranium is for weapons and some research reactors; ordinary power reactors need little or no enrichment.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because Statement-II is false, so it cannot explain Statement-I.
- B. Wrong because Statement-II is false.
- D. Wrong because Statement-I is true; coal does dominate India's power generation.
Source to check: Department of Atomic Energy / NPCIL website (PHWR fuel); Central Electricity Authority, generation reports 2022-23
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.