**Executive Summary**
The document is an answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding agreements with Russia's Rosatom, focusing on expanding cooperation in nuclear energy. It outlines details on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) development, the progress of the "Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat", and the timeline for amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. A key deadline is March 31, 2026, for the submission of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Bharat Small Reactors.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Cooperation with Rosatom:**
* DAE and Rosatom had a meeting to further cooperation in nuclear energy, focusing on both large and small-scale nuclear power plants and the nuclear fuel cycle.
* Discussions included localizing equipment production in India and constructing Russian-designed SMRs.
* **Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat:**
* Budget 2025-26 emphasizes the development and deployment of five indigenous SMRs by 2033, with an outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore.
* BARC has initiated design and development of:
* 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200).
* 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55).
* Up to 5 MWth High-temperature gas-cooled reactor for hydrogen generation.
* Lead units of these demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60-72 months after project sanctions at DAE site.
* **Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for Captive Use:**
* NPCIL floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) on December 31, 2024.
* A pre-proposal meeting was held in February 2025, with clarifications posted on the NPCIL website.
* The last date for RFP submission is extended to March 31, 2026.
* **Amendments to Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability Act:**
* The draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is in the advanced stages of processing and preparation.
* Final comments and suggestions are being incorporated, with vetting by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
* Policy directives are being included before submission for approvals.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
* The localization of equipment manufacturing can boost domestic industries and create employment opportunities in the nuclear energy sector.
* They can participate in the development of the 'Bharat Small Reactor' (BSR).
* The last date for RFP submission is extended to March 31, 2026.
**Action Required**
* Industries should review the RFP and submit their proposals by the extended deadline of March 31, 2026.
**Impact**
* They will be responsible for the design, development, and demonstration of the indigenous SMRs.
**Action Required**
* BARC should continue their work on the SMR projects and ensure they meet the project timelines.
**Impact**
* The amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act can facilitate private investment in the nuclear energy sector.
**Action Required**
* The Ministries should ensure that the bill is processed and prepared with final comments and suggestions being incorporated, with vetting by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Key Entities Referenced
Atomic Energy Act, 1962: Referenced for potential amendments related to private investment in the nuclear sector.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010: Referenced for potential amendments related to private investment in the nuclear sector.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): A key department involved in nuclear energy cooperation and development of SMRs.
Rosatom: Russia's state atomic energy corporation, involved in agreements with India, particularly regarding Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat: An initiative focused on the development and deployment of indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 643
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
AGREEMENTS WITH RUSSIA’S ROSATOM
643. DR. MALLU RAVI
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of specific agreements that were reached on expanding cooperation beyond
the Kudankulam project, particularly regarding the joint development of Small Modular
Reactors (SMRs) and the localisation of equipment manufacturing in India following
the high-level meeting between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Russia's
Rosatom on November 10, 2025;
(b) the current status of the "Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat," launched with a
Rs.20,000 crore outlay and the progress made in engaging the private sector for
developing the 'Bharat Small Reactor' (BSR); and
(c) the Government's timeline for introducing the proposed amendments to the Atomic
Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which are
essential to facilitate private investment and achieve the national target of 100 GW of
nuclear capacity by 2047?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) A meeting took place between DAE and Rosatom focused on furthering bilateral
cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, such as development of projects for both
large and small-scale nuclear power plants and cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Particularly, attention was given to opportunities for localizing equipment production
in India. One of the new areas of discussion for cooperation, includes the construction
of small modular reactors (SMRs) of Russian design in India.
(b) In the Budget 2025–26 announcement for the Nuclear Energy Mission, emphasis is on
the development and deployment of five indigenous SMRs by 2033 with an outlay of
₹ 20,000 crore.
BARC has initiated design and development works on SMRs namely,
1. 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200),
2. 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and3. Up to 5 MWth High temperature gas cooled reactor meant for hydrogen
generation.
It is proposed to construct the lead units of these reactors at DAE site for technology
demonstration. The demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72
months after receipt of project sanctions.
In respect of Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for captive use by industries, NPCIL floated
a Request for Proposal (RFP) on December 31, 2024 in line with the business model
approved by the Government. A pre-proposal meeting was organized in February 2025
where queries of the interested industries were addressed. Clarifications on all the
queries raised by various interested industries were compiled and posted on NPCIL
website. Further, based on requests from the industries, the last date for submission of
RFP has been extended to March 31, 2026.
(c) The draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is currently in advanced stage of processing and
preparation with final comments and suggestions from various Ministries being
progressively incorporated along with concomitant vetting by Ministry of Law and
Justice for legal compliances. Policy directives of the Government with regard to
specific aspects of the Bill are being suitably incorporated before being put up for
approvals.
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