IAEA(International Atomic Energy Agency)

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

international centre for cooperation in the nuclear/atomic field.

• It is a UN agency.
• It works with its member countries and many partners to promote peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.
• It was initially established as ‘Atoms for peace’

Question 2

Year of formation?

Answer 2

1957

Question 3

HQ?

Answer 3

Vienna,Austria

Question 4

sector

Answer 4

Nuclear energy

Question 5

Is India a member?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

recent development?

Answer 6

In 2019,63rd general conference of IAEA,India launched global cancer care network,”NCG-Vishwam Cancer care connect”

Question 7

IAEA Functions?

Answer 7

The functions of the IAEA are discussed below.

Promoting and assisting the research, development and practical applications of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.
Establishing and administering safety guards to ensure that such research/development, etc., by the IAEA is not used for military purposes.
Applying, under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other international treaties, mandatory comprehensive safeguards in non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS) parties to such treaties.

The IAEA’s three chief areas of work are:

Safety and security
Science and technology
Safeguards and verification

Question 8

IAEA Governance?

Answer 8

The IAEA has two policymaking bodies. They are:

1. General Conference
2. Board of Governors
3. General Conference
   - It consists of all the member countries of the IAEA.
   - It meets in a regular annual session.
   - The annual general conference usually takes place in September.
4. Board of Governors
   - Here, there are 35 members.
   - The Board generally meets five times a year.
   - It examines and makes recommendations to the IAEA’s General Conference on the organisation’s programme, financial statements and budget.
   - The Board considers membership applications, approves safeguards agreements and the publication of the safety standards of the IAEA.
   - It also appoints the Director-General of the IAEA, with the approval of the General Conference.

Question 9

What is uranium enrichment?

Answer 9

Natural uranium consists of nearly 99% U-238 and only around 0.7% of U-235
U-235 is a fissile material that can sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor.
Therefore, we need more U-235

Enrichment process increases the proportion of U-235 through the process of isotope separation(U-238 is separated from U-235). Isotope separation is possible due to the mass difference between U-238 and U-235

For nuclear weapons, enrichment is required upto 90% or more which is known as Highly Enriched Uranium/weapons-grade uranium
For nuclear reactors, enrichment is required upto 3-4% which is known as Low Enriched Uranium/reactor-grade uranium