Prelims Test Evening Batch 14 Oct 2026

Q1. Why is Thorium-232 considered a fertile material rather than a fissile material in nuclear physics?

1.Thorium-232 nuclei cannot undergo fission by termal slow) neutrons to sustain a chain reaction on their own.

2. Thorium-232 must absorb a neutron and undergo radioactive decay to convert into fissile Uranium- 233.

3. India’s monazite sands along coastal regions represent one of the largest global reserves of thrium.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q2. Consider the following statements about fast Breeders Reactors(FBRs):
1. The produce more fissile material than the total amount they consume during operation.

2. They require a moderator like heavy water or graphite to slow down neutrons ans sustain the fission reaction efficiently.

3. Liquid sodium is commonly used as a coolant in FBRs due to its high thermal conductivityand low moderating ability.

Whihc of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3. With reference to Pressurized Heavy Water reactors (PHWRs), consider the following statement:

1. They use heavy water (D2O) as both a moderator and a primary coolant.

2. They require highly enriched uranium (above 20% U- 235) because natural uranium cannot sustain a chain reaction in them.

3. India has successfully developed and deployed indigenous 700 MWe PHWR units.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding India’s Three- Stage Nuclear Power Programme:

1.The first stages utilizes Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) fueled by natural uranium.

2.The second stage uses Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) that utilize plutonium- 239 recovered from the first stage spent fuel.

3. The first stage aims at utilizing Thorium-232 to breed Uranium-233 for sustained energy generation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q5. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under ‘IAEA Safeguards’ while others are riot?

Q6.With reference to the Pyrogen test, consider the following statements:

1. It determines the presence or absence of pyrogens in parenteral pharmaceutical products.
2. Pyrogens exclusively come from gram-negative bacteria and not from gram-positive bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure that is the most common and effective type of Assisted Reproductive Technology.
2. In Vitro Fertilization can be used to treat infertility arising from various factors.
3. Babies conceived through In Vitro Fertilization are often colloquially referred to as “test tube babies.”

How many of the statements given above are correct? 

Q8. Consider the following:

1. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
2. Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
3. Smallpox (variola major)
4. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)

How many of the given above are the examples of Bio-Terrorism?

Q9.Consider the following statements about Bio-piracy:

1. It is the illegal or unethical use of biological materials for commercial purposes.
2. Patenting of Neem and patenting indigenous medicinal knowledge are the examples of Bio-Piracy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

A: 1 only

B: 2 only

C: Both 1 and 2

D: Neither 1 nor 2

Q10.Consider the following statements about C-peptide:

1. It is a short chain of amino acids.
2. C-peptide test measures the level of C-peptide in a blood or urine sample

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?