- Why in news
- On 4 February 2026, the Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha that BARC is designing SMRs (BSMR-200, SMR-55) under the Nuclear Energy Mission, with lead units at Tarapur.
- What it is
- Small Modular Reactors are nuclear reactors of smaller output, built in standard modules and meant for captive power, replacing retiring fossil plants and serving off-grid sites. BARC, under the Department of Atomic Energy, is designing Indian versions such as BSMR-200 and SMR-55. Their cost is expected to fall with standard designs and scale.
- BSMR-200
- A 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor; lead unit proposed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station site, Maharashtra.
- SMR-55
- A 55 MWe SMR whose lead unit is proposed at Tarapur.
- Hydrogen reactor
- A high temperature gas cooled reactor of up to 5 MWth is planned for hydrogen generation at BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
- Cost
- The tentative cost of the BSMR-200 demonstration unit is about Rs 27 crore per MWe; it should fall after standardisation and economy of scale.
- Regulatory fit
- AERB concluded that its existing framework can generally regulate SMRs, except a few technology-specific aspects.
Don’t confuse with MWe vs MWth: MWe is electrical output; MWth is thermal output. BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are rated in MWe, the hydrogen reactor in MWth.
Don’t confuse with AERB vs DAE/BARC: AERB is the safety regulator; BARC, under DAE, designs the reactors.
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
- SMRs can give clean captive power to energy-intensive industry and remote areas without grid access.
- They can repurpose retiring fossil-fuel plant sites and support hydrogen generation, aiding low-carbon goals.
Problems
- Costs are high at demonstration stage (about Rs 27 crore per MWe) and depend on standardisation and scale.
- Technology-specific safety aspects of new designs need regulatory review.
Way forward
- Complete lead-unit demonstrations at DAE sites, then standardise designs to cut costs.
- AERB should keep reviewing design-specific safety aspects and follow international regulatory developments.
Put in your answer
Cost of BSMR-200 demonstration: About Rs 27 crore per MWe, expected to fall with standardisation.
AERB framework: Existing technology-neutral AERB requirements can generally regulate SMRs.
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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 lead unit of the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) is proposed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station site.
- 2.The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted by a statutory order under Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
- 3.The operating licence that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board issues to a nuclear power plant is valid for up to ten years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The lead unit of the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor is proposed at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station site.
True. BSMR-200 lead unit is proposed at Tarapur, Maharashtra.
2.The high temperature gas cooled reactor planned for hydrogen generation is proposed to be built at Tarapur.
False. It is proposed at BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
3.AERB was constituted by a statutory order under Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
True. AERB is constituted under Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
4.The operating licence AERB issues to a nuclear power plant is valid for up to ten years.
False. The licence is valid for up to five years; the Periodic Safety Review is every ten years.
5.AERB has said that SMRs will need an entirely new regulatory framework separate from the one for existing plants.
False. AERB found the existing framework can generally be applied, except a few technology-specific aspects.
6.AERB's safety requirements for nuclear power plants take into account IAEA safety standards.
True. AERB requirements consider IAEA standards and international best practices.
7.Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, funds are allocated for R&D of indigenous SMRs by 2033.
True. Funds are allocated for indigenous SMR R&D by 2033.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.