Parliament Question: Indigenous PHWR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1443 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 INDIGENOUS PHWR

1443. SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA SHRI MAYANKKUMAR NAYAK SHRI BRIJ LAL

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) the progress made so far in the construction of indigenously developed 700 MW capacity Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) approved under the fleet mode;

(b) the extent to which the indigenization has been achieved in the major components of the reactor and fuel assemblies;

(c) whether standardization has resulted in reduction in manufacturing time and cost and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the major achievements accomplished by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited

(NPCIL) from December 2022 till date? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) The ten indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) approved under the fleet mode are at various stages of pre-project activities. In addition, three indigenous 700 MW PHWRs are in operation, one under commissioning and two are under construction.

(b) Full indigenization has been achieved in major components of reactor and fabrication of fuel assemblies of indigenous 700 MW PHWRs.

(c) Yes. Standardization has enabled bulk procurement of long manufacturing cycle equipment and components with staggered delivery schedule leading to reduction of time and cost.

(d) The major achievements of NPCIL from December 2022 are as follows: i. Addition of 2100 MW nuclear power capacity by completion of KAPS 3&4 (2X700 MW) and RAPS 7 (700 MW).ii. NPCIL has achieved highest ever generation of 56,681 Million Units (MU) during FY 2024-25. It avoided release of about 49 Million Tones of CO2 equivalent in to the environment.

iii. RAPS-3 resumed operation on July 24, 2024 after successful completion of Renovation and Modernisation (R&M) activities (Enmasse Coolant Channel Replacement, Enmasse Feeder Replacement and other safety upgrades). These R&M activities were completed in the shortest time among Indian Reactors.

iv. TAPS-1, the world's oldest operating nuclear reactor, achieved criticality on December 30, 2025, following the successful completion of major refurbishment activities. v. Continuous, safe and reliable operation for more than one year has been achieved 54 times since inception by various reactors operated by NPCIL, including 12 times since December 2022.

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