International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC often asks about the roles and functions of major international organizations, especially those related to global security, energy, and environmental issues. The IAEA's role in nuclear non-proliferation and safety is highly significant for international relations and global governance.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an autonomous international organization established in 1957, reporting to the UN General Assembly and Security Council. It serves as the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field, working to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and to prevent their diversion to military purposes.
Facts & tables
- Establishment
- Founded in 1957 under the 'Atoms for Peace' initiative.
- Reporting
- Reports annually to the UN General Assembly and, when appropriate, to the UN Security Council.
- Key Functions
- Nuclear safeguards (non-proliferation), nuclear safety, nuclear security, and promotion of peaceful nuclear applications.
- Headquarters
- Vienna, Austria.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | Parent organization |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- Established 1957, 'Atoms for Peace' initiative.
- Promotes peaceful nuclear use, prevents military diversion.
- Key roles: safeguards, safety, security, technology transfer.
- Monitors nuclear facilities globally, including in conflict zones.
- Reports to UN General Assembly and Security Council.
Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2019 | Factual recall, Policy measures |
| 2018 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
-
International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2019
Factual recall, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2020
Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Drone attack struck turbine building at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, IAEA says
The IAEA is a UN-affiliated body promoting peaceful nuclear use while ensuring safety, security, and non-proliferation. Its monitoring role, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, is crucial for global stability and preventing nuclear disasters.
See also
Past papers
2015–2024 · 8 questions
In the news
Drone attack struck turbine building at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, IAEA says
The IAEA is a UN-affiliated body promoting peaceful nuclear use while ensuring safety, security, and non-proliferation. Its monitoring role, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, is crucial for global stability and preventing nuclear disasters.
Try these PYQs
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?
IAEA safeguards are a set of technical safeguards applied by the IAEA to independently verify any nuclear facilities to check if it is not misused or deviated from peaceful uses. IAEA Safeguards are meant to understand if imported/enriched uranium is not used for non-peaceful purposes. New reactors under IAEA safeguards The decision will be based on the source of uranium.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Nuclear Security Summits were not held under the UN. They were a series of international conferences initiated by the United States in 2010, outside of any formal international organisation. The summits brought together world leaders to discuss ways to secure nuclear materials and prevent nuclear proliferation. However, the summits haven't been held since 2016. Statement 2 is incorrect. The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent group of arms control and non-proliferation experts. It's not an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While the IAEA might collaborate with the IPFM on some issues, it's a separate entity.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.
Consider the following pairs :
Country | Reason for being in the news|
|- | -|
|1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis|
|2. Sudan | War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces|
|3. Turkey | Rescinded its membership of NATO|
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
* Argentina - Worst economic crisis: Correct. Argentina has been facing a severe economic crisis for a while, marked by high inflation, debt, and poverty. * Sudan - War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces: Correct. Sudan has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. * Turkey - Rescinded its membership of NATO: Incorrect. Turkey has not rescinded its membership of NATO. While there have been tensions between Turkey and other NATO members, it remains a member. _Therefore, only two out of the three pairs are correctly matched._
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements:
1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. IOR-ARC is a regional cooperation initiative of the Indian Ocean Rim countries. It was established in Mauritius in March 1997 with the aim of promoting economic and technical cooperation. IOR-ARC is the only pan-Indian ocean grouping. It brings together countries from three continents having different sizes, economic strengths, and a wide diversity of languages, cultures. Statement 2 is incorrect. It aims to create a platform for trade, socio-economic and cultural cooperation in the Indian Ocean rim area. The Indian Ocean Rim is rich in strategic and precious minerals, metals and other natural resources, marine resources and energy, all of which can be sourced from Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves and the deep seabed.
Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
* India signed the ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with Russia. * India and Russia have a long-standing strategic partnership in the field of civil nuclear cooperation. * The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in areas such as nuclear fuel cycle management, nuclear power projects, and research in nuclear science and technology. * Russia has been a key partner in India's nuclear energy sector, particularly through Rosatom, which has been involved in building Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. * Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have also engaged in nuclear cooperation with India but were not part of this specific agreement.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.