Parliament Question: Nuclear Cooperation with Russia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 793 ANSWERED ON 04/02/2026 NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA

793. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government is negotiating expanded nuclear cooperation with the Russian State nuclear corporation ROSATOM, including deployment of VVER-1200 reactors and small modular reactors in India and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the number of new nuclear power plant projects proposed under this cooperation along with the expected investment commitment and timeline;

(c) whether any of these proposed units are planned for the State of Maharashtra or for regions requiring industrial uplift including tribal districts and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of safeguards being established by the Government to ensure nuclear-safety, local stakeholder consultation, environmental & social impact compliance especially in sensitive zones;

(e) the manner in which the Government intends to ensure that local communities benefit from job-creation, skill-development and local supply-chain opportunities arising from new nuclear projects; and

(f) the timeframe by which the contracts are likely to be finalized, land-acquisition completed and first construction activities initiated under these Indo-Russian nuclear cooperation projects? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) (b) (c) (f) Regular discussions are on between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and ROSATOM to strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, including in the area of large capacity Nuclear Power Plants and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). However, no details have been finalised yet.

(d) Safety is accorded highest priority at all stages of nuclear power plants. The nuclear power plants are set up strictly in line with the stage-wise clearances of the regulatory authority, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). As regards stakeholder consultations, formal stakeholder consultation is carried out as a part of the public hearings carried on the Social Impact Assessment report in line with the RFCTLARR Actfor land acquisition and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for obtaining environmental clearance from MoEF&CC. In addition, a large public awareness programme is implemented to reach out to various stakeholders. All the conditions/ recommendations laid down in the safety, environmental and other clearances / consents accorded by various agencies are diligently implemented.

(e) As a general policy, special provisions for relaxations in Age and Marks are given for Project Affected Persons in NPCIL, a PSU under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Further, preference to suitable local youth is also a part of engagement provisions of various contracts. Skill development programmes, scholarships and sponsorships for higher education to the meritorious students in the local area are also provided as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. Government takes up many initiatives around new sites where projects are under construction or under pre-project activities in addition to existing operating sites. Many social welfare schemes have been implemented by NPCIL, largely in the areas of education including skill development, healthcare, infrastructure development and sanitation for benefit of the surrounding populations at its installations, to ensure inclusive growth.

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