Topic: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Q6. Evaluate the role of new technologies like molten salt reactors (MSR) and subcritical systems with proton accelerators in India’s future nuclear roadmap. Discuss their feasibility and potential contributions. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question:
India’s net zero roadmap and recent debates on scaling advanced nuclear technologies like MSRs and ADS systems have gained policy prominence, especially after BARC and NITI Aayog’s 2024 reports.Key Demand of the question:
The question asks to evaluate the role of MSRs and subcritical systems in India’s nuclear roadmap, and to examine their feasibility as well as the potential contributions they can make to India’s long-term energy security.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce India’s need for disruptive nuclear technologies to meet net zero and energy security goals.Body:
- Role of MSR and subcritical systems: Write on their significance in fuel efficiency, thorium utilisation, safety, decentralisation, and proliferation resistance.
- Feasibility: Write on technological readiness, capital cost, regulatory, manpower, and global access challenges.
- Potential contributions: Write on energy security, climate mitigation, waste reduction, technological leadership, and strategic autonomy.
Conclusion:
Suggest that with timely investment, regulation, and collaboration, India can make MSR and ADS systems central to its Viksit Bharat energy vision.
