In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the 'International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)' ?
- (a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (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.
Why the answer is (a)
• India signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 2009 and ratified the Additional Protocol in 2014.
• The Additional Protocol gives the IAEA expanded reporting and access to verify that India's declared civilian nuclear facilities and imported material are used only for peaceful purposes — bringing civilian reactors under safeguards, option (a).
• Military installations (b) stay outside inspection under India's Separation Plan; it confers no automatic NSG membership (d) or buying privilege (c), though it enables nuclear trade with supplier countries.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
- Military facilities remain outside IAEA inspection.
- (c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
- NSG purchase rights come from NSG's 2008 waiver, not the Protocol.
- (d) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.
- It does not confer NSG membership.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.