Dear fellow students, India’s Atomic Programme is one of the most important topics in Static General Knowledge and General Science. Questions from this topic are frequently asked in SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, JKSSB, Police, State PSC, Teaching, and other competitive examinations.
Overview of India’s Atomic Programme
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Father of India’s Nuclear Programme | Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha |
| First Nuclear Reactor | APSARA |
| First Atomic Energy Commission | 1948 |
| First Atomic Energy Commission Chairman | Dr. Homi J. Bhabha |
| Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Established | 3 August 1954 |
| Headquarters of DAE | Mumbai |
| Current Controlling Ministry | Prime Minister’s Office |
| India’s Nuclear Doctrine Announced | 2003 |
| Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) | 1987 |
Father of India’s Atomic Programme
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is regarded as the architect of India’s nuclear programme. His vision laid the foundation for India’s peaceful use of atomic energy and long-term nuclear development.
Homi Jehangir Bhabha – Important Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 October 1909 |
| Died | 24 January 1966 |
| Known As | Father of India’s Nuclear Programme |
| Founded | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) |
| First Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission | 1948 |
Major Milestones of India’s Atomic Programme
India’s nuclear programme has achieved several important milestones over the years.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1945 | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) established |
| 1948 | Atomic Energy Commission established |
| 1954 | Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) established |
| 1956 | APSARA Reactor commissioned |
| 1960 | CIRUS Reactor became operational |
| 1969 | Tarapur Atomic Power Station commissioned |
| 1974 | Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha) |
| 1985 | Fast Breeder Test Reactor operational |
| 1998 | Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti) |
| 2008 | India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement implemented |
Important Facts for Competitive Exams
- Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is known as the Father of India’s Nuclear Programme.
- APSARA was India’s first nuclear reactor.
- The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948.
- Dr. Homi J. Bhabha became the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established on 3 August 1954.
- The headquarters of the DAE is located in Mumbai.
- The Prime Minister’s Office controls the Department of Atomic Energy.
- India’s Nuclear Doctrine was announced in 2003.
- NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) was established in 1987.
- TIFR was established in 1945.
- The APSARA Reactor was commissioned in 1956.
- The CIRUS Reactor became operational in 1960.
- Tarapur Atomic Power Station was commissioned in 1969.
- Pokhran-I was conducted in 1974.
- The Fast Breeder Test Reactor became operational in 1985.
- Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti) was conducted in 1998.
- The India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement was implemented in 2008.
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Answer |
|---|---|
| Father of India’s Nuclear Programme | Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha |
| First Nuclear Reactor | APSARA |
| Atomic Energy Commission Established | 1948 |
| First Chairman of AEC | Dr. Homi J. Bhabha |
| DAE Established | 3 August 1954 |
| DAE Headquarters | Mumbai |
| Controlling Ministry | Prime Minister’s Office |
| Nuclear Doctrine | 2003 |
| NPCIL Established | 1987 |
| TIFR Established | 1945 |
| APSARA Commissioned | 1956 |
| CIRUS Operational | 1960 |
| Tarapur Commissioned | 1969 |
| Pokhran-I | 1974 |
| Fast Breeder Test Reactor | 1985 |
| Pokhran-II | 1998 |
| India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement | 2008 |
Conclusion
India’s Atomic Programme forms the backbone of the country’s peaceful nuclear development and energy security. Candidates preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railway, JKSSB, Defence, State PSC, and other competitive examinations should thoroughly revise the important personalities, institutions, milestones, and key dates associated with India’s nuclear programme.
Important MCQs on India’s Atomic Programme Static GK
Q1. Which of the following statements are correct?
- Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is known as the Father of India’s Nuclear Programme.
- He was the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
- He founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q2. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
A) APSARA — First Nuclear Reactor of India
B) CIRUS — First Atomic Energy Commission
C) Tarapur — First Nuclear Doctrine
D) NPCIL — First Nuclear Test
✅ Answer: A
Q3. Which of the following statements are correct?
- The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948.
- Dr. Homi J. Bhabha became its first Chairman.
- The Commission was established before the Department of Atomic Energy.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q4. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established on:
A) 15 August 1947
B) 3 August 1954
C) 18 May 1974
D) 11 May 1998
✅ Answer: B
Q5. Which of the following statements are correct?
- The headquarters of the Department of Atomic Energy is located in Mumbai.
- The Department of Atomic Energy functions under the Prime Minister’s Office.
- NPCIL operates under the Department of Atomic Energy.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q6. Which one of the following milestones occurred first in India’s Atomic Programme?
A) Department of Atomic Energy established
B) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research established
C) APSARA Reactor commissioned
D) CIRUS Reactor became operational
✅ Answer: B
Q7. Arrange the following milestones in chronological order.
- Atomic Energy Commission established
- Department of Atomic Energy established
- APSARA Reactor commissioned
A) 1–2–3
B) 2–1–3
C) 3–2–1
D) 2–3–1
✅ Answer: A
Q8. Which of the following statements are correct?
- APSARA was commissioned in 1956.
- CIRUS became operational in 1960.
- APSARA was commissioned before CIRUS.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q9. Tarapur Atomic Power Station was commissioned in:
A) 1956
B) 1960
C) 1969
D) 1974
✅ Answer: C
Q10. Which of the following statements are correct?
- Pokhran-I was code-named “Smiling Buddha.”
- Pokhran-I was conducted in 1974.
- It took place before the Fast Breeder Test Reactor became operational.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q11. Which one of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?
A) Pokhran-II — Operation Shakti
B) Fast Breeder Test Reactor — 1985
C) India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement — 1998
D) CIRUS Reactor — 1960
✅ Answer: C
Q12. Which of the following statements are correct?
- Pokhran-II was conducted in 1998.
- It was code-named “Operation Shakti.”
- It took place after the Fast Breeder Test Reactor became operational.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q13. India’s Nuclear Doctrine was announced in:
A) 1998
B) 2000
C) 2003
D) 2008
✅ Answer: C
Q14. Which of the following statements are correct?
- NPCIL was established in 1987.
- India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement was implemented in 2008.
- Both are important milestones in India’s nuclear development.
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q15. Arrange the following events in chronological order.
- Tarapur Atomic Power Station commissioned
- Pokhran-I
- Pokhran-II
A) 1–2–3
B) 2–1–3
C) 1–3–2
D) 3–2–1
✅ Answer: A
Q16. Which one of the following institutions was established first?
A) Department of Atomic Energy
B) Atomic Energy Commission
C) NPCIL
D) CIRUS Reactor
✅ Answer: B
Q17. Which of the following statements are correct?
- TIFR was established in 1945.
- Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948.
- TIFR was established before the Atomic Energy Commission.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q18. Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is associated with which of the following achievements?
- Founder of TIFR
- Father of India’s Nuclear Programme
- First Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q19. Which one of the following events occurred most recently?
A) Pokhran-II
B) India’s Nuclear Doctrine
C) India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement
D) NPCIL Established
✅ Answer: C
Q20. Which of the following statements are correct?
- India’s Atomic Programme focuses on peaceful nuclear development and energy security.
- APSARA, CIRUS, Pokhran Tests, and NPCIL are important milestones in India’s Atomic Programme.
- Knowledge of these milestones is important for competitive examinations.
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
