“India’s goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 presents both opportunities and challenges”. Examine the geographical and environmental challenges associated with this target.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
Q2. “India’s goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 presents both opportunities and challenges”. Examine the geographical and environmental challenges associated with this target. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: Mint
Why the question: The recent announcement in the Union Budget 2025-26 about India’s ambitious plan to achieve 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047, reflecting the growing importance of nuclear power in India’s clean energy transition. Key demand of the question: The question demands an examination of the opportunities presented by the nuclear target, alongside an in-depth analysis of the geographical and environmental challenges related to site selection, resource constraints, ecological risks, and sustainability issues, followed by a way forward. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly introduce India’s nuclear energy ambitions within the context of achieving energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and meeting climate commitments under international agreements. Body: Opportunities: Discuss how nuclear energy can enhance energy security, support decarbonization, promote technological innovation, and generate employment. Geographical challenges: Highlight issues like site selection constraints, seismic risks, land acquisition problems, and water resource dependencies. Environmental challenges: Address concerns related to nuclear waste management, radiation hazards, biodiversity impacts, and risks from climate-induced disasters. Way forward: Suggest strategies such as adoption of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improved risk assessment, robust safety protocols, and international collaborations for best practices. Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates technological innovations, environmental safeguards, and sustainable development strategies to achieve India’s nuclear energy goals responsibly.
Why the question: The recent announcement in the Union Budget 2025-26 about India’s ambitious plan to achieve 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047, reflecting the growing importance of nuclear power in India’s clean energy transition.
Key demand of the question: The question demands an examination of the opportunities presented by the nuclear target, alongside an in-depth analysis of the geographical and environmental challenges related to site selection, resource constraints, ecological risks, and sustainability issues, followed by a way forward.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Briefly introduce India’s nuclear energy ambitions within the context of achieving energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and meeting climate commitments under international agreements.
• Opportunities: Discuss how nuclear energy can enhance energy security, support decarbonization, promote technological innovation, and generate employment.
• Geographical challenges: Highlight issues like site selection constraints, seismic risks, land acquisition problems, and water resource dependencies.
• Environmental challenges: Address concerns related to nuclear waste management, radiation hazards, biodiversity impacts, and risks from climate-induced disasters.
• Way forward: Suggest strategies such as adoption of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improved risk assessment, robust safety protocols, and international collaborations for best practices.
Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates technological innovations, environmental safeguards, and sustainable development strategies to achieve India’s nuclear energy goals responsibly.