22nd December 2025

Explanation - Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) is an initiative of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) (not ISRO, so statement 1 is incorrect). It is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at creating state-of-the-art space laboratories within Indian academic institutions. These labs will provide hands-on training to students pursuing space tech courses in academic institutes spread across the country. This initiative is intended to enable meaningful industry–academia collaboration and support India's long-term vision of becoming a leading global space economy. Under the scheme, up to seven academic institutions will be selected in a phased manner from different zones across the country. To ensure balanced regional representation, one lab is proposed in each zone. These labs will also be available to Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) for utilisation in that zone. IN SPACe will provide financial support to the institutions. The selection process will be carried out in two stages: Institutions will first be screened based on eligibility criteria. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated and ranked by an Empowered Committee (EC), following which final selections will be made on a zone-wise basis. 

Explanation - Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society(ULLAS) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027. The scheme, aligned with NEP 2020, targets adults (aged 15 years and above) who can't go to school (not only 15-18 year dropouts, so statement 2 is incorrect). It aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country. The scheme has five components - Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education. The vision of the ULLAS Scheme is to make India Jan Saakshar and is based on the spirit of Kartavya Bodh and is being implemented on volunteerism. The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either through self-registration or by surveyors. It will serve as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT. 

Explanation - SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs, which can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, are: Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor. Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation. Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy. There are about 50 SMR designs and concepts globally. Most of them are in various developmental stages and some are claimed as being near-term deployable. There are currently four SMRs in advanced stages of construction in Argentina, China and Russia, and several existing and newcomer nuclear energy countries are conducting SMR research and development. 

Explanation - The CLNDA provides for strict and no-fault liability on the operator of the nuclear plant, where it will be held liable for damage regardless of any fault on its part. It also specifies the amount (₹1,500 crore) the operator will have to shell out in case of damage and requires the operator to cover liability through insurance. In case the damage claims exceed ₹1,500 crore, the CLNDA expects the government to step in. The Act has limited the government liability amount to the rupee equivalent of 300 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) or about ₹2,100 to ₹2,300 crore. Section 17(b) of the CLNDA — The operator of the nuclear plant, after paying their share of compensation, shall have the right of recourse where the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of an act of the supplier or his employee. This includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services. Section 46 of CLNDA allows victims of a nuclear catastrophe to seek claims for damages against the operator or the supplier under criminal law, even though such legal actions fall beyond the purview of the CLNDA. 

Explanation - The Indian nuclear power programme, launched in 1954, envisaged a three-stage development of nuclear power generation from the country's uranium and thorium resources. The first stage programme consists of setting up of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs). PHWRs are natural uranium-fuelled, heavy water moderated and cooled. The uranium reserves in the country are adequate to support the first stage nuclear power programme of 10,000 MWe through PHWRs. In addition to generating power, PHWRs progressively make available plutonium as a by-product. The technologies for the reprocessing of plutonium from spent PHWR fuel and for fabrication of plutonium bearing fuels have been systematically established in India through research and development over the past several years. The second stage of the nuclear power programme consists of effective utilisation of plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) which will provide the key to full utilisation of the country's uranium resources and prepare the way for the long-term utilisation of the more abundant thorium reserves. FBRs enable generation of more fresh fissile material than is consumed for power production. With the deployment of FBRs, the depleted uranium and plutonium generated in the first stage will permit an additional power potential to the extent of 3,50,000 MWe. During the later part of the second stage programme, it is proposed to use thorium as blanket material in FBRs to generate U-233, another fissile material for use in the third stage programme based on U-233 fuelled reactor systems.