**Summary:**
The Government of India, through the Department of Atomic Energy, has announced a Nuclear Energy Mission with the ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. This initiative aims to significantly contribute to India's Net Zero target by 2070 by augmenting power production with minimal carbon emissions and addressing base load requirements currently met by fossil fuels.
The mission encompasses deploying large and small nuclear power plants in greenfield and brownfield projects, as captive plants, and for off-grid applications in remote locations. A key element is active partnership with the private sector, research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and adoption of new advanced technologies. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is indigenously designing and developing three types of SMRs for demonstration: a 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor, and a 5 MWth High-Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor for hydrogen production. In-principle approval has been granted for the construction of these demonstration reactors, with an estimated construction timeframe of 60-72 months after administrative sanction. Lead units of the BSMR SMR are planned to be installed at DAE sites in collaboration with NPCIL. These plants are designed for deployment as captive power plants, repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants, and hydrogen production to support the transport sector.
Currently, India's installed nuclear power capacity consists of 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8780 MW (excluding RAPS1 100 MW which is under long term shut down). KAPS3 4 (2x700 MW) and RAPP7 (700 MW) are in commercial operation. Additionally, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13600 MW, including the 500 MW PFBR being implemented by BHAVINI, are in various stages of implementation. Upon completion, the installed capacity will reach 22380 MW. The 100 GW target will be achieved through existing and advanced reactor technologies under development.
The Department of Atomic Energy has established 4,33,800t insitu U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits across multiple states. Recent discoveries include 26,437t insitu Uoxide resource in Jaduguda North Baglasai Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.
Safety remains paramount in all aspects of nuclear power, with plants designed based on defense in depth, redundancy, diversity, and failsafe design principles. Operations are conducted through established procedures by qualified personnel, and a robust regulatory mechanism, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), continuously monitors and reviews nuclear power plant safety.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space. NKRPSM Release ID: 2153076.
Key Entities Referenced
Nuclear Energy mission for Viksit Bharat: Government initiative to increase nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and achieve Net Zero by 2070.
100 GW: Target nuclear power capacity to be achieved by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy mission.
Net Zero: Target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
BARC: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, an Indian nuclear research facility designing and developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Bharat Small Modular Reactor: 200 MWe indigenously developed Small Modular Reactor (SMR) being designed and developed by BARC.
NPCIL: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, collaborating with DAE for installing BSMR SMR lead units.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board AERB: Independent regulatory body responsible for continuously monitoring and reviewing the safety of nuclear power plants in India.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra: List of states in India where uranium deposits are located.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY
MISSION
Posted On: 06 AUG 2025 4:36PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy mission for Viksit Bharat with a target
of reaching a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the
target of Net Zero by 2070. Its main features are to augment power production from nuclear energy
with least carbon emission and to cater the base load requirement which is currently supported by
fossil fuel base power plants. Nuclear energy mission envisages deployment of large as well as small
nuclear power plants in green fields, in brown fields, as captive plants and for off-grid applications in
remote locations. This initiative aims for an active partnership with the private sector, R&D of Small
Modular Reactors (SMRs) and enabling measures for new advanced technologies.
Three types of SMR are being designed and developed indigenously by BARC for demonstration.
These reactors are:
200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
(cid:108)
55 MWe Small Modular Reactor
(cid:108)
5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor for hydrogen production by coupling with a
(cid:108)
suitable thermochemical process for hydrogen production.
In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors. These
demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction
of projects. Lead units of BSMR & SMR are planned to be installed at DAE sites in collaboration with
NPCIL.
These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plant, for repurposing of
retiring fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime
objective of decarbonization by increasing the penetration of nuclear energy in the industrial & transport
sector.
Presently, the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises 24 reactors with a total capacity of
8780 MW, excluding RAPS-1 (100 MW) which is under long term shut down.
KAPS-3 & 4 (2x700 MW) and RAPP-7 (700 MW) are in commercial operation.
Presently, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13600 MW (including 500 MW PFBR, being implemented by
BHAVINI) are at various stages of implementation. On their progressive completion, the installed nuclear
power capacity will reach 22380 MW from 8780 MW at present. The target of 100 GW is planned to be
achieved by deploying reactors based on existing and new advanced technologies under development.
The department has established 4,33,800t in-situ U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits located in Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In recent years, the Department has established 26,437t in-situ U-oxide
resource in Jaduguda North - Baglasai Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand; which is the
north-western continuity of Jaduguda uranium deposit.
Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design, construction,
commissioning and operation. Nuclear power plants are designed based on the paramount safety principles of
defense in depth, Redundancy, Diversity and Fail-safe design features; thus, ensuring multiple barriers
between the source of radioactivity and the environment. The operations are performed through well laid out
procedures by highly qualified, trained and licensed personnel. There is a robust and independent regulatorymechanism in place and safety of nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and reviewed by the
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2153076)