India is preparing to invite bids within the next three to six months for a 220 megawatt (MW) Bharat Small Modular Reactor, known as BSMR-200, signalling a major step in expanding nuclear capacity as part of the clean energy transition. The initiative aims to deploy scalable nuclear technology to strengthen long-term energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The reactor will be built to a standardised design to allow faster deployment and potential replication across multiple sites.

The BSMR-200 is being developed jointly by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). The project carries an estimated cost of around Rs 59.6 billion (bn) and the approved benchmark stands at roughly Rs 300 million (mn) per megawatt (MW). Construction is expected to take between 60 and 72 months following final clearances. Foreign firms will be permitted to participate in bids but will need to partner with domestic companies to ensure local execution.

The move follows recent policy reforms that opened the nuclear sector to private and foreign investment and aligns with the government’s Nuclear Energy Mission. That programme has allocated Rs 200 bn towards small modular reactor development and seeks to support multiple units over the coming years. Officials characterised the initial plant as a pilot that will inform design standardisation, regulatory processes and supply chain development for subsequent rollouts across the grid.

Planners emphasised that integrating small modular reactors into the energy mix aims to provide reliable, low-carbon baseload power as electricity demand rises. The standardised approach is intended to shorten lead times and reduce unit costs through replication and local manufacturing partnerships. The bid invitation is expected to test market interest, technical readiness and project delivery models while signalling a long-term commitment to nuclear capacity expansion.