Q20. Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is known mainly for which energy source?
[HTET TGT Social Studies, 2019]
(A) Solar energy
(B) Wind energy
(C) Geothermal energy
(D) Atomic energy
Answer: (C) Geothermal energy
Explanation: Manikaran’s famous hot springs result from geothermal heat beneath the Himalayan terrain. The site’s thermal activity has attracted scientific investigations into direct use and experimental energy generation.
Q19. Which is the major source of electric power in Chhattisgarh?
[CGPSC Civil Service, 2018]
(A) Thermal power
(B) Hydropower
(C) Solar power
(D) Wind power
Answer: (A) Thermal power
Explanation: Chhattisgarh has substantial coal resources and hosts large thermal generating centres such as Korba. Consequently, coal-based thermal electricity has historically dominated the state’s power-generation mix over other sources.
Q18. Which enactment was the principal framework governing India’s power sector at the examination date?
[DDA JE Electrical and Mechanical, 25 April 2018]
(A) Indian Electricity Act, 1910
(B) Electricity Supply Act, 1948
(C) Electricity Act, 2000
(D) Electricity Act, 2003
Answer: (D) Electricity Act, 2003
Explanation: The Electricity Act, 2003 consolidated laws on generation, transmission, distribution, trading and electricity use. It established a modern regulatory framework with important responsibilities for central and state electricity regulatory commissions.
Q17. What is the upper installed-capacity limit used in India to classify a small hydropower project?
[MPPSC Assistant Engineer Civil, 2017]
(A) 25 MW
(B) 100 MW
(C) 550 MW
(D) 1000 MW
Answer: (A) 25 MW
Explanation: India’s small hydropower category covers projects up to 25 MW installed capacity. This distinction supports separate policy treatment of small hydro compared with much larger reservoir and river-based hydropower stations.
Q16. Statement I: Nuclear power plants are suited to baseload operation.
Statement II: Conventional nuclear reactors do not readily respond to fluctuations in load.
Choose the answer as framed in the paper.
[UPSC Engineering Services Electronics, 2017]
(A) Both true; II explains I
(B) Both true; II does not explain I
(C) I true; II false
(D) I false; II true
Answer: (A) Both true; II explains I
Explanation: The examination’s conventional engineering framing treats nuclear stations as principally baseload generators because their operation and economics favour steady output. Actual reactor load-following capability depends on reactor design and grid arrangements, so the historical wording is simplified.
Q15. Which fuel is prominently used in a fast breeder nuclear reactor?
[DSSSB TGT Computer Science, 21 May 2017]
(A) Uranium-235
(B) Plutonium
(C) Thorium
(D) Radium
Answer: (B) Plutonium
Explanation: Fast breeder reactors commonly use plutonium-containing fuel, often mixed with uranium oxide. Fast neutrons can convert fertile uranium-238 into additional plutonium-239, allowing the reactor to produce more fissile material than it consumes.
Q14. Which DAE company is responsible for constructing and commissioning fast breeder reactors in India?
[Gujarat Engineering Services GS, 2017]
(A) NPCIL
(B) AERB
(C) BARC
(D) BHAVINI
Answer: (D) BHAVINI
Explanation: BHAVINI, or Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, is the special-purpose public company established for fast breeder reactor construction and commissioning. Research institutions such as IGCAR provide supporting reactor-development expertise.
Q13. The Atomic Energy Amendment Bill of 2015 sought to amend which Act?
[WBCS Prelims, 2016]
(A) Atomic Energy Act, 1962
(B) Atomic Energy Act, 1963
(C) Atomic Energy Act, 1964
(D) Atomic Energy Act, 1965
Answer: (A) Atomic Energy Act, 1962
Explanation: The proposed amendment dealt with the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. It sought changes enabling joint ventures among eligible government companies for nuclear power projects while maintaining legal controls on atomic energy activities.
Q12. In which state is the Manikaran geothermal-energy site?
[MPPSC General Studies, 2016]
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Jammu and Kashmir
(C) Himachal Pradesh
(D) Uttarakhand
Answer: (C) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Manikaran is a hot-spring and geothermal locality in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu region. It is a significant Indian example of geothermal prospects in a mountainous setting affected by deep crustal heat and groundwater circulation.
Q11. Which is a renewable energy source?
[MPPSC General Studies, 2016]
(A) Coal
(B) Nuclear energy
(C) Petrol
(D) Solar energy
Answer: (D) Solar energy
Explanation: Solar radiation is replenished naturally and can be converted to electricity with photovoltaic devices. Coal and petroleum are exhaustible fossil resources, while nuclear fuel consists of finite mined materials in conventional reactors.
