India Charts Roadmap For Self-Reliant Nuclear Energy Ecosystem
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

India Charts Roadmap For Self-Reliant Nuclear Energy Ecosystem

India is strengthening its indigenous nuclear energy ecosystem with emphasis on advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors (SMRs), domestic manufacturing, private-sector participation and long-term utilisation of thorium. The government set out the Nuclear Energy Mission in the Union Budget 2025-26 to expand nuclear capacity to 100 GWe by 2047. The minister of state in the prime minister's office outlined the roadmap in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

The policy combines deployment of large indigenous reactors such as 700 megawatt (MW) pressurised heavy water reactors and development of SMRs at brownfield sites and captive or off-grid applications. A key objective is to develop and operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing a 220 megawatt Bharat Small Modular Reactor, a 55 megawatt SMR and a high temperature gas cooled reactor of up to five megawatt capacity for potential hydrogen production.

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) continues research and engineering for sodium cooled fast breeder reactors and closed fuel-cycle facilities, remaining central to the long-term programme. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 has been enacted to enable wider public and private participation while maintaining regulatory oversight. The Department of Atomic Energy is supporting industry through knowledge sharing and development of domestic vendors and start-ups for critical equipment.

India pursues its three-stage nuclear programme to optimise uranium resources and to harness thorium by breeding uranium-233 for later large-scale use after sufficient fast breeder capacity is established. Thoria pellets have been used in initial reactor cores and irradiated pins reprocessed to obtain uranium-233, which was fabricated as fuel for the KAMINI reactor at IGCAR, Kalpakkam. Expansion of the Isotope Production Reactor will augment domestic production of medical isotopes and support technological self-reliance.

India is strengthening its indigenous nuclear energy ecosystem with emphasis on advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors (SMRs), domestic manufacturing, private-sector participation and long-term utilisation of thorium. The government set out the Nuclear Energy Mission in the Union Budget 2025-26 to expand nuclear capacity to 100 GWe by 2047. The minister of state in the prime minister's office outlined the roadmap in a written reply to Lok Sabha. The policy combines deployment of large indigenous reactors such as 700 megawatt (MW) pressurised heavy water reactors and development of SMRs at brownfield sites and captive or off-grid applications. A key objective is to develop and operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing a 220 megawatt Bharat Small Modular Reactor, a 55 megawatt SMR and a high temperature gas cooled reactor of up to five megawatt capacity for potential hydrogen production. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) continues research and engineering for sodium cooled fast breeder reactors and closed fuel-cycle facilities, remaining central to the long-term programme. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 has been enacted to enable wider public and private participation while maintaining regulatory oversight. The Department of Atomic Energy is supporting industry through knowledge sharing and development of domestic vendors and start-ups for critical equipment. India pursues its three-stage nuclear programme to optimise uranium resources and to harness thorium by breeding uranium-233 for later large-scale use after sufficient fast breeder capacity is established. Thoria pellets have been used in initial reactor cores and irradiated pins reprocessed to obtain uranium-233, which was fabricated as fuel for the KAMINI reactor at IGCAR, Kalpakkam. Expansion of the Isotope Production Reactor will augment domestic production of medical isotopes and support technological self-reliance.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Building Material

From Rough to Refined: How Modern Plastering Is Changing Wall Finishes

When Rohan first walked into his newly constructed home, he imagined what it would become—a warm living room, a bright bedroom, and walls smooth enough to complement his carefully chosen interiors.But there was one problem.The walls didn't look anything like the finished home he had imagined.They were uneven in places, rough to the touch, and covered with visible patches and minor surface imperfections. Rohan initially thought paint would fix everything.His contractor had a different answer.“Before the paint, we need to get the plastering right.”That conversation made Rohan realise somet..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Embraer to Acquire 51 Per Cent Stake in Mahindra Aerospace Arm

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace, a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra, under an Investment Agreement notified by the automobile company in an exchange filing. The transaction will give Embraer control of the aerospace business. Following completion of the acquisition, Novavayu Aerospace will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary and become an associate of Mahindra Defence Systems, which is a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra. The agreement is expected to be completed on or before December 1. Mah..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Run OMCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a special facility to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), in a move aimed at easing pressure on the Indian rupee. The facility will take effect on October 12, 2026, and remain available until further notice. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation are eligible to use the arrangement. Under the facility, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three companies through designated banks, allowing them to meet their oil-import payments without sourc..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code