UPSC Prelims 2018 Q33: Science & Technology – Energy & Environment
- (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
- (b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
- (c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
- (d) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.
Answer: (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
Explanation
IAEA Additional Protocol - Implication for India
Background: After the 2008 India-US civilian nuclear deal and the NSG waiver, India signed the India-Specific Safeguards Agreement with IAEA (2009) and later ratified an Additional Protocol (AP) with IAEA in 2014.
| Option | Correct? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards | YES | Under the India-Specific AP, India places its designated civilian nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards for inspection, verification and monitoring. India separated civilian and military facilities as a precondition. |
| (b) Military nuclear installations come under IAEA inspection | NO | India's strategic (military) nuclear facilities remain outside IAEA safeguards - a fundamental Indian negotiating red line. |
| (c) Privilege to buy uranium from NSG | NO | The right to buy from NSG members flows from the 2008 NSG waiver, not from the Additional Protocol per se. |
| (d) Automatic NSG membership | NO | AP does not confer NSG membership - NSG membership is by consensus of the 48-member group; India is still not a member. |
Answer: (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The AP brings India's designated civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards, verification and monitoring.
- (b) Incorrect. Military reactors and strategic nuclear facilities remain outside IAEA scope - India insisted on this separation.
- (c) Incorrect. Uranium supply access came from the 2008 NSG waiver, not from the AP directly.
- (d) Incorrect. AP does not confer NSG membership; NSG requires consensus and China has blocked India's bid.
Key point
India-IAEA Additional Protocol (2014): Places India's civilian nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards. Military reactors excluded. This flowed from the 2005 Manmohan-Bush deal, 123 Agreement (2008), NSG waiver (2008), India-Specific Safeguards Agreement (2009).
Remember
By ratifying the Additional Protocol with IAEA in 2014, India brought its designated civilian nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards for inspection and verification. Its military and strategic nuclear installations remain outside IAEA's scope. The right to purchase uranium came separately from the 2008 NSG waiver, and India is still not a member of the NSG.
Common mistakes
- Assuming AP brings all nuclear facilities under IAEA - India's separation plan keeps strategic facilities OUT.
- Confusing AP with the NSG waiver - AP is with IAEA (safeguards), NSG waiver is with the 48-member export cartel.
- Believing AP automatically gives NSG membership - it does not; NSG membership requires consensus (China blocks).
Exam tip
India's nuclear timeline: 2005 Joint Statement -> 2008 NSG waiver + 123 Agreement -> 2009 India-Specific Safeguards -> 2014 Additional Protocol. Result: civilian nuclear trade access with separation.
Sources
- IAEA - India Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocol Documents
- Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the 123 Agreement), 2008