- Why in news
- On 28 August 2026, PIB published an explainer on India's nuclear energy programme. It covers capacity, safety, waste, emergency planning and non-power uses of atomic energy.
- What it is
- India's nuclear programme is run by the Department of Atomic Energy, with NPCIL operating power reactors and AERB as the regulator. Its power plants mostly use indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat and the SHANTI Act, 2025 set the present policy and legal framework for expansion.
- Installed base
- India operates 24 power reactors at seven sites with 8.78 GW capacity. Nine more are under construction.
- Mission target
- The Nuclear Energy Mission aims for 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
- SMR funding
- Budget 2025-26 set aside ₹20,000 crore for indigenous Small Modular Reactors.
- Nuclear process heat hydrogen
- India inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility using nuclear process heat at Kalpakkam in 2026.
- Boron-11 facility
- India's first electronics-grade Boron-11 enrichment facility is at Talcher, for semiconductor use.
- BARC designs
- BARC is developing BSMR-200 (220 MWe), SMR-55 (55 MWe) and an HTGCR of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen production.
- Funding
- Rs 20,000 crore is allocated under NEM for SMR research, development and deployment.
- SHANTI Act and AERB
- The Act gives AERB statutory status and sets graded liability based on facility type and reactor power.
- Construction time
- Demonstration SMRs are estimated to take 60 to 72 months from financial approval.
- Target
- Nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047, with a large share from indigenous PHWR plants.
- FBR expansion
- Pre-project activities of 2 x 500 MW FBR 1 & 2 at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu are approved.
- Mahi Banswara project
- Implemented by ASHVINI, a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC, in Rajasthan.
- SHANTI Act rules
- States, industries and research institutions can collaborate with the Government once rules are framed.
- Fast breeder concept
- A fast breeder reactor uses fast neutrons and produces more fissile material than it consumes; it is the second stage of India's three-stage programme.
- BSMR-200 and SMR-55
- Both are PWR-based; the Atomic Energy Commission approved Tarapur, Maharashtra as the site for each.
- SMR goal
- At least five indigenous SMRs to be developed and operationalised by 2033.
- Sites
- The Atomic Energy Commission approved Tarapur, Maharashtra as the site for BSMR-200; the HTGCR is proposed at BARC, Vizag.
- AERB under SHANTI Act
- The Act gives the regulator statutory status so it can work independently.
Don’t confuse with AERB vs DAE: DAE runs the programme and leads emergency technical response. AERB is the regulator that sets dose limits and approves emergency plans.
Don’t confuse with Occupational vs public dose limit: Workers: average 20 mSv a year over five years. Public: 1 mSv a year.
Don’t confuse with MWe vs MWth: MWe is electrical output; MWth is thermal output. The HTGCR is rated in MWth because it supplies heat for hydrogen.
Don’t confuse with AERB vs AEC: AERB is the nuclear safety regulator; the Atomic Energy Commission sets policy and approves projects, such as sites for the SMRs.
Don’t confuse with PHWR vs FBR: PHWRs use natural uranium and heavy water (stage one); FBRs use plutonium-based fuel and fast neutrons (stage two).
Don’t confuse with BSMR-200 vs SMR-55: Both are BARC-designed PWR-based SMRs, rated 220 MWe and 55 MWe, and both sited at Tarapur.
Don’t confuse with PHWR vs PWR/LWR: PHWR uses heavy water as moderator and coolant; PWR is a light water reactor. India's fleet is mostly PHWR, while BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are PWR designs.
Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Nuclear power gives firm, low-carbon electricity, supporting energy security and the Net Zero 2070 goal.
- Atomic technology also serves health, agriculture, food irradiation, rare earths and semiconductors.
- SMRs can give firm low-carbon power and industrial heat, helping net-zero goals.
- Private entry under licence can raise capital and speed up capacity addition toward 100 GWe.
- Nuclear power gives firm, low-carbon electricity, helping energy security and net-zero goals.
- Private and state participation can bring capital and speed.
- Firm low-carbon baseload power supports the net zero 2070 goal.
- SMRs and HTGCR can serve industry and hydrogen production, and suit sites with limited land or grid.
- Firm low-carbon power supports the net zero by 2070 goal and energy security.
- Private and state participation can bring capital and speed to a sector long run by the state.
- SMRs and hydrogen-heat reactors widen uses beyond grid power, including industry.
Problems
- Public fears about radiation, waste and living near plants need steady communication.
- Capacity is 8.78 GW against a 100 GW target, so the scale-up is steep.
- Demonstration SMRs need 60 to 72 months to build, and costs and safety are yet to be proven.
- Graded liability and private operation raise public concerns over accountability and safety.
- No new projects sanctioned in three years, while 100 GW needs rapid additions.
- SHANTI Act rules are yet to be framed, delaying participation.
- Raising capacity from 8.78 GW to 100 GW needs very large finance and fast project execution.
- Public acceptance, siting, and long-term waste management remain concerns as the sector opens to private players.
- High capital cost, long gestation and land and public acceptance issues around sites.
- Safety, waste management and liability concerns as private operators enter.
- Dependence on technology and fuel supply, and building a vendor ecosystem.
Way forward
- Keep the regulator strong and independent while opening the sector to private players.
- Expand indigenous reactor designs, including SMRs, with continued safety upgrades.
- Keep the regulator independent and technically ready for SMR-specific review.
- Build the domestic supply chain and fuel supply, with transparent local consultation at sites.
- Frame SHANTI Act rules quickly and sanction new fleet-mode PHWR projects.
- Back SMR and advanced reactor R&D with clear regulation and safety oversight.
- Build a strong independent regulator and clear liability and safety rules to attract private investors.
- Develop domestic vendors and R&D through BARC-industry partnership to cut import dependence.
- Keep AERB independent and well resourced, with clear rules for private operators.
- Pilot BSMR-200 and SMR-55 at Tarapur, then scale with local industry vendors.
- Be open on waste handling and safety reviews to build public trust.
Put in your answer
Food irradiation: Six gamma radiation facilities were commissioned, taking operational facilities to 40.
Vitrification: BARC's indigenous vitrification converts high-level waste into stable glass blocks.
Budget provision: Rs 20,000 crore for SMR research, development and deployment under NEM.
Indigenous materials: ApuRVA alloy and reactor pressure vessel forging technology were developed with Indian industry, showing self-reliance.
Capacity added: 2100 MW added through KAPP-3&4 and RAPP-7.
Kaiga 5&6: Construction began with First Pour of Concrete.
Safety design: Plants use redundancy, diversity, fail-safe features and overlapping defence-in-depth, giving multiple barriers against release.
Waste rules: Waste is handled under the Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987 and AERB codes.
Private role: BARC shares knowledge with Indian industry to build nuclear vendors and a private R&D ecosystem.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q16Should India expand nuclear energy; discuss facts and fears
- 2017Mains GS3 · Q16Growth of nuclear science in India and advantages of fast breeder reactors
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q6Distinguish FBR from thermal reactor; criticality; clean energy implications
- 2018Prelims Q33Implication of ratifying IAEA Additional Protocol for India
- 1999Prelims Q58Identify Koodankulam nuclear plant site on southern India map
- 2020Prelims Q55Why some Indian reactors are under IAEA safeguards and others are not
- 2012Prelims Q61Advantages of thorium over uranium as nuclear fuel
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Nuclear Energy Mission, announced in Budget 2025-26, aims to design, develop and operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors.
- 2.Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is given statutory status.
- 3.The BSMR-200 and SMR-55 demonstration reactors have been approved for siting at BARC, Vizag.
- 4.The SHANTI Act, 2025 fixes a uniform liability for all nuclear facilities irrespective of reactor power.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 21
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Nuclear Energy Mission aims to operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors.
True. The mission targets at least five indigenous SMRs.
2.The High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor under development is meant for hydrogen production.
True. The HTGCR, up to 5 MWth, is for hydrogen production.
3.Small Modular Reactors, in general, are factory-fabricated units of smaller capacity than conventional reactors, typically up to about 300 MWe per unit.
True. The IAEA describes SMRs as advanced reactors with capacity up to about 300 MWe per unit.
4.The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
True. 100 GW by 2047.
5.The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor attained criticality in April 2026.
True. Criticality on 6 April 2026.
6.The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project is being implemented by ASHVINI, a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC.
True. ASHVINI is an NPCIL-NTPC JV.
7.The pre-project approval for new 2 x 500 MW fast breeder reactors is for a site at Kaiga, Karnataka.
False. The site is Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
8.A fast breeder reactor is the first stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
False. It is the second stage; PHWRs are the first.
9.The Tarapur units TAPS-1 and 2 are described as the world's oldest operating nuclear reactors and resumed operation after refurbishment.
True. They resumed after major refurbishment.
10.Several new nuclear power projects were sanctioned in the last three years, according to the reply.
False. No new nuclear power projects were sanctioned in the last three years.
11.The Nuclear Energy Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
True. The mission was announced in Budget 2025-26.
12.The mission aims to develop at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033.
True. At least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
13.The BSMR-200 is an indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor.
False. BSMR-200 is Pressurised Water Reactor based.
14.The HTGCR being designed by BARC is meant for hydrogen production.
True. HTGCR of up to 5 MWth is a nuclear heat source for hydrogen production.
15.The Atomic Energy Commission has approved Kudankulam as the site for BSMR-200.
False. The approved site is Tarapur, Maharashtra.
16.The SHANTI Act gives the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board statutory status.
True. The Act establishes AERB with statutory status.
17.The Nuclear Energy Mission aims to reach 100 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2047.
True. The target is 100 GWe by 2047.
18.The mission aims to operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033.
True. At least five SMRs by 2033.
19.The BSMR-200 is based on a Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor design.
False. BSMR-200 is a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) based power reactor.
20.The small High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor is meant mainly for grid electricity and is proposed at Tarapur.
False. It is a nuclear heat source for hydrogen production, proposed at BARC, Vizag.
21.Copper-chlorine cycle is a thermochemical process that can use nuclear heat to produce hydrogen.
True. The release names it as a suitable thermochemical cycle for the HTGCR heat source.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 5 August 2026, the government outlined progress on indigenous Small Modular Reactors under the Nuclear Energy Mission and the SHANTI Act, 2025. Examine the key provisions of the SHANTI Act, 2025 and discuss the challenges in achieving the goal of 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.