UPSC Prelims Shorts — 16 July 2026
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)
GS: GS PAPER III — Energy Security & Infrastructure
India’s largest nuclear power station under Indo-Russian collaboration, with Generation III+ safety systems and a 2026 data breach incident.
Key Points
- Located in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, on the Gulf of Mannar coast
- Operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) under DAE
- Developed under Indo-Russia inter-governmental agreement (1988) with Rosatom cooperation
- Uses VVER-1000 Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) with enriched uranium fuel
- On completion: 6 × 1000 MW = 6,000 MW capacity (India’s largest nuclear park)
- Units 1 & 2 operational; Units 3–6 under construction
- Generation III+ passive safety systems, double containment, core catcher, IAEA-compliant
- Regulated by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
- 2026: Contractor-related data breach exposed; reactor/safety systems uncompromised; CERT-In investigating
Exam Significance
- Enhances India’s energy security and reduces fossil fuel dependence
- Supports low-carbon electricity generation and climate commitments
- Strengthens Indo-Russian strategic partnership in nuclear technology
- Demonstrates India’s capability in advanced power generation infrastructure
Prelims MCQ
With reference to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, consider the following statements: 1. It is located in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. 2. It uses VVER-type Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) developed with Russian assistance. 3. It uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator. 4. It is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect — VVER reactors use enriched uranium as fuel and ordinary (light) water as both coolant and moderator, not natural uranium and heavy water.
Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G)
GS: GS PAPER II — Social Policy & Employment | GS PAPER III — Rural Development
Rural employment guarantee scheme replacing MGNREGA from July 2026, incorporating digital authentication and transparent governance.
Key Points
- Implemented from 1 July 2026, replacing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
- Administered by Ministry of Rural Development
- Objective: Guaranteed wage employment and sustainable rural livelihoods
- Coverage: Rural households seeking unskilled wage employment
- Digital authentication via e-KYC and Aadhaar-based beneficiary verification
- Face Recognition System (FRS) for attendance and verification
- Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card replaces earlier Job Card
- End-to-end digital monitoring and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments
- Executed by Gram Panchayats with support from State Governments
- Transparency: Digital record-keeping, geo-tagging of assets, social audits, online grievance redressal
- 2026 concern: Workers deleted from beneficiary lists due to pending e-KYC/FRS, raising digital exclusion issues
Exam Significance
- Modernises rural employment guarantee through digital infrastructure
- Reduces leakages and improves targeting of benefits
- Strengthens transparency and community accountability
- Addresses concerns about digital equity and inclusion challenges
Prelims MCQ
With reference to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G), consider the following statements: 1. It replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) from July 2026. 2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. 3. It mandates the use of digital authentication such as e-KYC and Face Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiary management. Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
All three statements are correct. VB-GRAM G replaced MGNREGS from 1 July 2026, is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, and incorporates digital authentication mechanisms including e-KYC and FRS for beneficiary verification.
India Semiconductor Mission (Semicon 2.0)
GS: GS PAPER III — Make in India & Technology
₹1.27 lakh crore initiative to build self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem covering fabrication, design, packaging, and supply chains.
Key Points
- Approved by Union Cabinet in July 2026 with ₹1.27 lakh crore outlay
- Implemented by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
- Vision: Atmanirbhar Bharat — self-reliant, trusted, globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem
- Focus areas: Fabrication (Fab) units, ATMP/OSAT facilities, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging
- Covers semiconductor design ecosystem and R&D
- Includes equipment, materials and component supply chains
- Skill development and workforce creation component
- Extends beyond chip manufacturing to entire value chain: raw materials, specialty chemicals, gases, equipment
- Complementary with Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) for electronics ecosystem deepening
Exam Significance
- Reduces India’s import dependence on semiconductors
- Strengthens electronics manufacturing base and supply chain resilience
- Promotes high-value manufacturing and employment creation
- Enhances strategic capabilities in AI, defence, automobiles, telecom, consumer electronics
- Positions India as a semiconductor design and manufacturing hub
Prelims MCQ
With reference to the India Semiconductor Mission (Semicon 2.0), consider the following statements: 1. It aims to promote only semiconductor fabrication plants in India. 2. It seeks to strengthen the complete semiconductor value chain, including design, packaging and materials. 3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect — Semicon 2.0 covers the entire semiconductor ecosystem (design, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT, materials, equipment), not just fabrication plants. It is implemented under MeitY through the India Semiconductor Mission.
