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UPSC Prelims 2005 · Indian Geography · Minerals and Energy
Match List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) List-II (State) Thal 1. Andhra Pradesh Manuguru 2. Gujarat Kakrapar 3. Maharashtra Kaiga 4. Rajasthan 5. Karnataka
- (a) 2 1 4 5
- (b) 3 5 2 1
- (c) 2 5 4 1
- (d) 3 1 2 5
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 3 1 2 5
Thal (heavy water) – Maharashtra · Manuguru (heavy water) – Andhra/Telangana · Kakrapar – Gujarat · Kaiga – Karnataka.
The idea
Heavy water contains deuterium, a heavier form of hydrogen. In some reactors it slows neutrons without absorbing many of them, helping natural-uranium fuel sustain the chain reaction. A heavy-water production plant and a nuclear generating station are different facilities.
Fission releases fast neutrons → Moderator slows the neutrons → More neutrons can cause useful fission → A controlled chain reaction releases heat → Heat drives the electricity-generating system
Why the others are wrong
(a) Puts Thal in Gujarat.
(b) Puts Manuguru in Karnataka.
(c) Puts Thal in Gujarat.
The trap
Kaiga–Karnataka is the sure pair; it appears only in (a) and (d).
Elimination technique
Kaiga–Karnataka leaves (a) and (d). Thal–Maharashtra then removes (a); use Andhra Pradesh for Manuguru as of 2005.
Also know
Tarapur is in Maharashtra, Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and Narora in Uttar Pradesh. Kalpakkam and Kudankulam are Tamil Nadu nuclear anchors. Manuguru was in undivided Andhra Pradesh as of the 2005 exam; after the 2014 division it is in Telangana.
🔒 Nuclear: Tarapur, Rawatbhata, Kaiga, Kudankulam, Kakrapar, Narora, Kalpakkam.
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