Question

As of 2016 India has how many nuclear power plants?
A. 29
B. 22
C. 25
D. 23

Answer 1

Hint: India runs its nuclear reactors at seven sites in 2016. On 18 May 2017 the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to build ten new nuclear plants to add 7000 MW to the nuclear capacity of India.

Complete Answer:
Nuclear power plants - A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which a nuclear reactor is the heat source. Heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine linked to a generator that generates electricity, as is common for thermal power stations.

Purpose of Nuclear power plants - The heart of a nuclear power plant is the nuclear reactors. Via a physical process called fission, they contain and regulate nuclear chain reactions that generate heat. The heat is used to produce steam that produces electricity by spinning a turbine.

- India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation at seven sites as of 2016, with an installed capacity of 6780 MW and a cumulative electricity output of 30,292.91 GWh. To produce an extra 8,100 MW, 11 more reactors are under construction.
- Option A. 29: As mentioned above, till 2016 there were 22 nuclear power plants in India. Hence this option is incorrect.
- Option B. 22: In India, there were 22 nuclear power plants till 2016. Hence this option is correct.
- Option C. 25: As mentioned above, till 2016 there were 22 nuclear power plants in India. Hence this option is incorrect.
- Option D. 23: As mentioned above, till 2016 there were 22 nuclear power plants in India. Hence this option is incorrect.

Therefore, as of 2016, India has 22 nuclear power plants. Hence, option B. 22 is the correct answer.

Note: India has consciously continued to investigate the possibility of using nuclear energy for power generation purposes. Homi Bhabha in the 1950s formulated a three-stage nuclear power program in this direction. India has 22 nuclear reactors at 7 nuclear power stations with a built total capacity of 6,780 MW in operation as of March 2018.