In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under IAEA Safeguards while others are not?

Question

Accepted Answer

The nuclear reactors in India are placed under IAEA safeguards only if they are fuelled by uranium procured from abroad. There are at present 22 operational reactors, of which 14 are under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards as these use imported fuel.India currently imports uranium from Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada. Plans are also afoot to procure the fuel from Uzbekistan and Australia.By placing the reactors under the IAEA safeguards, India gives the international nuclear energy watchdog access to them. This step was taken by the country in 2014 to demonstrate that its nuclear energy programme was for peaceful purposes. It was a necessary step under the Indo-US nuclear deal.Hence option (b) is the correct answer.Source Citation: Business Standard