India is accelerating efforts to build a self-reliant nuclear energy ecosystem, with the government targeting 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.
Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh outlined the government’s nuclear strategy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
India is following a two-pronged approach to expand nuclear generation.
The first focuses on large indigenous reactors, including 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and advanced reactor designs at greenfield sites.
The second involves deploying SMRs at brownfield locations, including retiring fossil-fuel power plant sites. SMRs could also support captive power requirements of energy-intensive industries and provide electricity for remote, off-grid locations.
Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, the government aims to develop and operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing technologies including the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and 55 MWe SMR-55. It is also developing a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor of up to 5 MWth for potential hydrogen production.
India’s long-term nuclear strategy remains based on its three-stage programme, designed to maximise the country’s uranium and thorium resources.
The first stage uses natural uranium in PHWRs, with spent fuel reprocessed to recover plutonium. The second stage uses Fast Breeder Reactors to produce additional fissile material. The third stage aims to utilise thorium through uranium-233 generated from thorium.
Jitendra Singh noted that thorium is fertile rather than directly fissile and must first be converted into uranium-233 inside a reactor before being used for energy generation.
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) continues research into Sodium Cooled Fast Breeder Reactors and associated closed fuel-cycle facilities.
The government is also seeking greater participation from Indian industry through the SHANTI Act, 2025.
The legislation enables wider participation by public and private entities in nuclear manufacturing, engineering, research and development and supply chains, while retaining requirements related to nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
It also gives statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
The Department of Atomic Energy is supporting domestic companies and start-ups working on emerging nuclear technologies and critical components.
India is continuing research into thorium-based fuels. Thorium oxide pellets have been used in initial cores of operating PHWRs, while thoria-based fuels have also been tested in BARC research reactors.
Irradiated thoria fuel has been reprocessed to obtain uranium-233, which was subsequently used to fabricate fuel for the KAMINI reactor at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
The government’s strategy combines reactor development, domestic manufacturing, fuel-cycle research and advanced nuclear technologies.
It is also expanding capabilities in nuclear medicine through the Isotope Production Reactor, aimed at increasing domestic production of medical isotopes.
Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen India’s energy security, reduce dependence on external technologies and supply chains, and establish a stronger domestic nuclear industry.
