India Nuclear News and Discussion 4 July 2011

[williams]

Just for fun - Can you answer this - without looking it up ..

Q.Which was the first princely state to declare its intention to remain independent in 1946 due to its strategic location and monopoly over monazite (a mineral rich in thorium)?
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Junagadh
(c) Kashmir
(d) Travancore

It definitely has to be in south India - so no Kahsmir or Junagadh. I am leaning towards Hyderabad or Travancore. Although I am not sure Hyderabad had any coastal territory.

[ernest]

Construction-ready, but full-scale deployment has been conservative due to regulatory and geopolitical caution.

construction ready, really? We really need to become energy independent. Do not understand why we are waiting, when China is blowing its trumpet on Thorium

Just for fun - Can you answer this - without looking it up ..

Q.Which was the first princely state to declare its intention to remain independent in 1946 due to its strategic location and monopoly over monazite (a mineral rich in thorium)?
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Junagadh
(c) Kashmir
(d) Travancore

Did Travancore really declare an intention to remain independent?

[Amber G.]

^^^A classic question in Indian modern history from UPSC ..

In 1946, Travancore was the first to declare its intention to remain independent rather than join India or Pakistan.

The strategic reason - Travancore had a monopoly over monazite, a mineral rich in thorium, which was seen as a valuable nuclear resource even back then.

The Dewan of Travancore, Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, made the announcement, citing Travancore’s strategic importance and resource wealth.

This decision led to political tension with the Indian government, and after an assassination attempt on the Dewan in 1947, Travancore acceded to India.

(Monazite: A rare earth phosphate mineral containing thorium-232, which can be used to breed uranium-233)

.

[Amber G.]

A new legal architecture for nuclear power sector

The article argues for comprehensive legal reforms in India’s nuclear energy sector to boost investment, promote private and foreign participation, and facilitate the development SMRs .

The authors propose amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and CLNDA to align with international norms, clearly define liability limits, and open the sector to regulated private and foreign involvement. They stress that while the government must retain control over the nuclear fuel cycle, private entities should be allowed to build and operate reactors under strict oversight.

[Amber G.]

NuScale SMR gets approval:

NuScale Power’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Achieves Standard Design Approval from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 77 MWe

NuScale remains the only SMR technology company to have received approval from the NRC for its SMR technology design; today’s announcement marks NuScale’s second design approved by the United States’ nuclear regulator


CORVALLIS, Ore., May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor nuclear technology, today announced that it has received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its uprated 250 MWt (77 MWe) NuScale Power Modules™.

The U.S. NRC’s uprate approval of the NuScale SMR technology now strengthens ENTRA1 Energy to produce and deliver energy as the most near-term American SMR power solution via ENTRA1 Energy Plants™ with NuScale SMR technology inside. ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale’s partner and independent power plant development platform, which holds the global exclusive rights to the commercialization, distribution, and deployment of NuScale’s SMRs.


The uprate approval by the U.S. regulatory authority increases the power output per module from NuScale’s previously-approved 50 MWe design, enabling ENTRA1 Energy Plants to provide a wider range of off-takers and consumers with reliable, carbon-free energy. NuScale remains the only SMR technology company with design approval from the NRC, and the company remains on track for deployment by 2030.

"We are thrilled that the NRC has approved our second SDA application, this time for our 77 MWe design. This marks a historic moment not only for NuScale, but the entire industry, as NuScale and ENTRA1 move closer to meeting the demands of clean energy users," said John Hopkins, NuScale President and Chief Executive Officer. "For more than a decade, our team has proudly worked alongside the NRC to achieve the successful approval of our designs. The NRC is domestically and internationally recognized and respected for its rigorous safety standards, and this approval is a crucial step toward meeting our goal of providing clean, reliable, and, most importantly, safe energy to off-takers and consumers."


NuScale’s first Design Certification Application (DCA) for its 160 MWt (50 MWe) SMR design was accepted by the NRC in March 2017. Subsequently, the NRC affirmed its approval of NuScale’s 50 MWe SMR design, marking the first design to receive its approval.

NuScale’s uprated design features the same fundamental safety case and passive safety features previously approved by the NRC with a power uprate and select design changes to support growing capacity needs. Originally slated for approval later this summer, today’s announcement marks the early completion of the NRC review process.

---
NuScale’s SMR tech, just approved again by the U.S. NRC, is clearly aimed at the American market—but there are definitely takeaways here for India. From a technical standpoint, a modular 77 MWe design like this makes a lot of sense for India. It fits well with India's ambitions to bring clean energy to remote areas and reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors like industry and transport.

That said, (FWIW - My take) India has some real hurdles to adopting something like NuScale’s design outright. Our current laws only allow government-owned entities to run nuclear plants, and the supplier liability rules are still a sticking point for foreign tech providers. But if those issues can be worked through—maybe via a joint pilot project or study under the U.S.-India nuclear agreements—I think there’s real potential. Even if India ultimately builds its own SMRs, learning from NuScale’s experience could help us get there faster and more cost-effectively.

[drnayar]

^^^A classic question in Indian modern history from UPSC ..

In 1946, Travancore was the first to declare its intention to remain independent rather than join India or Pakistan.

The strategic reason - Travancore had a monopoly over monazite, a mineral rich in thorium, which was seen as a valuable nuclear resource even back then.

The Dewan of Travancore, Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, made the announcement, citing Travancore’s strategic importance and resource wealth.

This decision led to political tension with the Indian government, and after an assassination attempt on the Dewan in 1947, Travancore acceded to India.

(Monazite: A rare earth phosphate mineral containing thorium-232, which can be used to breed uranium-233)

.

I am from that erstwhile state ., its not just monazite., the Travancore Titanium Products was established in 1946 .. my uncle was a chief engineer in that enterprise

TTP has also been producing certain strategic rare earths materials used in nuclear and aerospace industries [ esp cerium, lanthanum, and yttrium ] for several decades now.

[ https://indianexpress.com/article/resea ... s-7767241/
The narrative as presented by the makers of Rocket Boys does shed light on the lesser-known story of Travancore’s Thorium reserves and its bid for independence. It is also true that Nehru along with Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar and Homi Bhabha did have to negotiate and convince the Travancore state to hand over access to its monazite reserves. ]

[Amber G.]

^^^A classic question in Indian modern history from UPSC ..

In 1946, Travancore was the first to declare its intention to remain independent rather than join India or Pakistan.
<snip>
The strategic reason - Travancore had a monopoly over monazite, a mineral rich in thorium, which was seen as a valuable nuclear resource even back then.

I am from that erstwhile state ., its not just monazite., the Travancore Titanium Products was established in 1946 .. my uncle was a chief engineer in that enterprise

TTP has also been producing certain strategic rare earths materials used in nuclear and aerospace industries [ esp cerium, lanthanum, and yttrium ] for several decades now.

[ https://indianexpress.com/article/resea ... s-7767241/
The narrative as presented by the makers of Rocket Boys does shed light on the lesser-known story of Travancore’s Thorium reserves and its bid for independence. It is also true that Nehru along with Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar and Homi Bhabha did have to negotiate and convince the Travancore state to hand over access to its monazite reserves. ]

Thank you so much for adding that valuable context! It's fascinating to hear from someone with a personal connection Most people don't realized the extent to which TTP contributed to processing other rare earth elements like cerium, lanthanum, and yttrium, which are indeed critical in modern strategic technologies.

You're absolutely right — while monazite and thorium get much of the spotlight, the broader industrial and scientific infrastructure in Travancore played a key role in why the region was so strategically significant. The fact that Nehru, Bhabha, and Bhatnagar had to negotiate access underscores how crucial those resources and capabilities were to India's early scientific ambitions.

Thanks again for sharing this.

---

FWIW Let me add
Travancore’s coastal sands, especially around regions like Chavara and Manavalakurichi, are rich in heavy mineral deposits that include several rare earth elements (REEs) and strategic materials. Beyond thorium (from monazite), here are some of the other key rare earths and minerals.

- Ilmenite (source of titanium)
and Zircon (Crucial in nuclear reactors for cladding fuel rods)

Kerala and Tamil Nadu coastal sands are significant sources.

Cerium,
Lanthanum( used in hybrid car batteries -like those in the Toyota Prius
Yttrium (Used in LEDs, superconductors, lasers etc).
Neodymium
etc..
---
From what I think - Today India manages its rare earths with strategic focus and national security. While it hasn’t yet scaled to match China, India is laying the groundwork for a more secure, indigenous supply chain — especially vital as global demand for REE's.and Heavy rare earths (HREEs).(Our goal is to compete with China's dominance in rare earth processing) .. I posted about this earlier in BRF (There are many details - worth reading for anyone interested)

Links:
- <Brf post 1>

and few posts later:
<Brf post 2
viewtopic.php?p=2635210#p2635210

[KL Dubey]

Travancore-Cochin (the lands of my great ancestors) have come a long way, with many cutting edge technologies being practiced due to Bharat sarkar - ranging from aircraft carriers to space exploration to supersonic missiles. Additionally the provision of nukular fuels. Remove the commie-jihadi mentality from these lands, and it will truly be gods own kandry again.

[A_Gupta]

Just for fun - Can you answer this - without looking it up ..

Q.Which was the first princely state to declare its intention to remain independent in 1946 due to its strategic location and monopoly over monazite (a mineral rich in thorium)?
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Junagadh
(c) Kashmir
(d) Travancore

And at which Jawaharlal Nehru lost his temper and advocated military action?

[A_Gupta]

Answer:
https://arunsmusings.blogspot.com/2006/ ... e.html?m=1

[Amber G.]

^^^ Interesting learnings from last question..thanks..
FWIW: Again

Just for fun — Can you answer this without looking it up?:

Q1 Which Indian physicist, played a key role in applying nuclear physics to national planning, and was instrumental in the early conceptualization of India's atomic energy program — before Homi Bhabha formalized it?

(a) D.M. Bose
(b) K.S. Krishnan
(c) D.D. Kosambi
(d) M.N. Saha


Q2. In the early days of Indian nuclear development, thorium was considered a long-term strategic asset. Which reactor design was explicitly developed to utilize thorium in a closed fuel cycle?

(a) PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor)
(b) AHWR (Advanced Heavy Water Reactor)
(c) FBTR (Fast Breeder Test Reactor)
(d) CANDU

Q3 - A coastal region in India is famous for its black sand beaches rich in monazite, leading to naturally high background radiation. In fact, in some houses there, the annual radiation measured exceeds 50 millisieverts.

Using Amber G.’s favorite unit BED -“Banana Equivalent Dose”- (Popularized in BRF, and quite often used in other places now) approximately how many bananas per year would give you the same dose as living in one of those homes?

(a) 5,000
(b) 50,000
(c) 500,000
(d) 5,000,000,

(Bonus question: “How many bananas would it take to trigger an airport radiation detector?” (A real anecdote once shared on BRF!)

And the last one;

Q4 - A Brfoldie of Bharat Rakshak once posed a puzzle: A uranium sample with 3% U-235 is enriched for reactor fuel. Which of the following enrichment levels is closest to the minimum required for light water reactors?
(a) 0.7%
(b) 3-5%
(c) 20%
(d) 90%

(Comments welcomed .. )

[Tanaji]

Without looking :

Q1: either a or b. Saha was an astrophysicist and Kosambi was a mathematician I think

Q2: FBTR as the ahwr came later. CANDU was the first design from Canada and PHWR is a generic term. Fast breeders are required to build up the seed stock of Pu so that it can be used in the later stages?


Q3 - 5000

Q4 - b 3% i think

[Amber G.]

Tanaji Thanks I will post my comments some time later..

Meanwhile reliance-adani-railways-greenko-vedanta-hmel-jsw-group-hindalco-npcil-small-nuclear-reactor-project-
Summary:
- Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Greenko, Vedanta, JSW Group, Hindalco, and NPCIL are among the companies exploring opportunities in India's rail and nuclear energy sectors.
- key points:
RVNL is working on railway projects, while companies like Greenko and JSW Group are focusing on green energy.
NPCIL plans to set up small nuclear reactors.
Reliance Industries and Adani Group are also investing in various projects, including energy and infrastructure.

[Amber G.]

Without looking :
Q1: either a or b. Saha was an astrophysicist and Kosambi was a mathematician I think

Thanks. (After seeing your answer, I realized my question might have been a little imprecise )..

Q was:

Q1 Which Indian physicist, played a key role in applying nuclear physics to national planning, and was instrumental in the early conceptualization of India's atomic energy program — before Homi Bhabha formalized it?

(a) D.M. Bose
(b) K.S. Krishnan
(c) D.D. Kosambi
(d) M.N. Saha

Correct Answer: (d) Meghnad Saha — but K.S. Krishnan also deserves partial credit for his later institutional role.


Short Answer & Perspective (from a physics-savvy lens):
Let’s be honest — both Saha and Krishnan made major contributions, but in different phases. So depending on what you mean by “key role” and “early conceptualization,” Saha takes the crown — but Krishnan wasn’t far behind when it came to building the actual system.

Why Saha Wins (for this question):

Meghnad Saha was talking about atomic energy in the 1930s–40s, before most people in India even knew what a nucleus was.

He saw science — including nuclear power — as essential to national development.

He pushed hard for state-led planning, wrote extensively on using science for public good, and even served in Parliament doing exactly that.

So while he wasn’t running labs, he was laying the intellectual groundwork and urging political investment.

Krishnan’s Timeline — and Real Contribution:

K.S. Krishnan came into the atomic energy picture more after Independence, late 1940s and 1950s.

He was co-discoverer of the Raman effect, had a strong background in experimental physics (solid-state, magnetism).

He joined the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and helped build its institutional base.

Nehru briefly considered him to head the atomic effort, but chose Bhabha instead.

So yes — Krishnan helped implement, but Saha was already conceptualizing.

D.M. Bose - Early nuclear research (cosmic rays), mentor to Bibha Big contribution in science and Mentoring but - limited role in planning and (politics, so less well known)
D.D. Kosambi - Very famous Mathematician (and Marxist historian); strong in planning, theory, but not involved in nuclear..

How Bhabha Overshadowed Saha and others :

Bhabha had charisma, Tata family connections, and Nehru’s trust.

He wrote the famous 1944 letter to the Tata Trust asking for support — and got it.

That led to TIFR, which became the nucleus (pun intended) of India’s atomic energy program.

While Saha stayed outside the Bhabha-Nehru institutional circuit, Bhabha got full control of the program by the late 1940s.

Atomic Energy Leadership Timeline (Simplified) (For interested people here):

- 1930s–40s Saha Advocated atomic energy in national development
- 1944 Bhabha Proposed atomic program to Tata Trust (via letter)
- 1945 TIFR founded Bhabha becomes de facto leader
- 1948 AEC created Bhabha leads; Krishnan joins commission
- 1950s Bhabha + Krishnan Build institutions and research programs
- 1960's-70's - Many young people (like me and institutes (including IIT's) - became interested in Nuclear Physics and Bhabha's vision )

If the question is about who first brought nuclear physics into the national planning conversation, (d) Meghnad Saha is the clear answer.

But if you're grading generously, K.S. Krishnan deserves a solid partial credit for helping turn the vision into a system — post-Bhabha, but still critical.

Comment on this (and other Q's welcome - I will post my thoughts also)