The Indian government is considering a policy shift to permit private companies to operate nuclear power plants, moving away from the current model where only public sector entities are allowed to do so.

Talks are ongoing to finalise a framework that would set strict eligibility criteria based on financial strength, technical capability, and experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects. Proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are presently under legal review to enable such participation.

A senior official said, “The idea is to allow companies that are well-established with a track record in executing major infrastructure projects. The firm should be financially sound and a going concern.”

The criteria under consideration include consistent positive revenues over a defined period and proven expertise in large project delivery. The initiative aligns with India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, which targets increasing nuclear power capacity from the current 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, with an intermediate goal of 22 GW by 2032.