**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 490 in Lok Sabha concerning the Nuclear Mission. The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister's Office provides details on the allocation of ₹20,000 crore within the Union Budget 2025-26 for the design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with the aim of operationalizing at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033. The lead units of these indigenous SMRs are expected to be operational in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative and financial sanctions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nuclear Energy Mission:**
* ₹20,000 crore allocated for design, development, and deployment of SMRs under the Union Budget 2025-26.
* Objective to develop and operationalize at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
* **SMR Projects and Locations:**
* BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are proposed for construction at the DAE site in Tarapur, Dist. Palghar, Maharashtra.
* The proposed site for the demonstration reactor is not a remote or underserved area.
* **Design and Development:**
* BARC has undertaken design and development work on SMRs.
* Projects include: 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and up to 5 MWth High temperature gas cooled reactor for hydrogen generation.
* BSMR-200 is in an advanced stage of obtaining financial and administrative sanction.
* **Integration and Employment:**
* Plants will operate as captive power plants in energy-intensive sectors.
* Construction and commissioning are expected to create employment for skilled and unskilled manpower.
* Ongoing operation and maintenance will create sustainable local employment.
* **Timeline and Monitoring:**
* Lead units of indigenous SMRs are expected to be operational in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative and financial sanctions.
* SMR performance will be monitored continuously by designers/regulators.
**Impact Analysis**
**BARC**
*Impact*
BARC is responsible for undertaking design and development work on SMRs, contributing to the development and operationalisation of the nuclear energy mission.
*Action Required*
Continue design and development work on SMRs.
**Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)**
*Impact*
DAE is responsible for the construction of BSMR-200 and SMR-55 at the Tarapur site. It will be affected by the design, development, and deployment of the SMRs.
*Action Required*
Facilitate construction of BSMR-200 and SMR-55 at Tarapur.
**Local Communities in Tarapur, Palghar, Maharashtra**
*Impact*
They will experience new employment opportunities in construction, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the SMRs.
*Action Required*
Acquire the necessary skills for the jobs associated with the SMRs.
**Ministry of Power and State Governments**
*Impact*
Coordination required for grid-connectivity and local employment integration.
*Action Required*
Coordinate to integrate SMRs into the national grid and create local employment opportunities.
**Designers/Regulators**
*Impact*
Accountable for continuously monitoring SMR performance.
*Action Required*
Continuously monitor SMR performance for further improvements.
Key Entities Referenced
Nuclear Energy Mission: A government initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to support the design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in India.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Nuclear reactors that are smaller than conventional reactors and can be deployed in a variety of locations. The Nuclear Energy Mission aims to develop and deploy at least five indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033.
Department of Atomic Energy: The Indian government department responsible for nuclear energy and related matters. BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are proposed to be constructed at DAE site located at Tarapur, Dist. Palghar, Maharashtra.
BARC: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has already undertaken design and development work on SMRs
Maharashtra: A state in India where some SMR projects are proposed to be located, specifically in Tarapur, Dist. Palghar.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO–490
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
NUCLEAR MISSION
490. ADV. GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI
DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has launched the ‘Nuclear Mission’ in the Union Budget
2025-26 with an allocation of Rs. 20,000 crore for R&D in Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs) targeting at least five indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033 and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of SMR projects which have been sanctioned so far and the quantum of
funds released during the current year;
(c) whether any of these SMR projects are proposed to be located in Maharashtra or nearby
regions including in tribal or backward districts and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken/being taken to streamline regulatory clearances, land and utility access
for SMR deployment in remote/underserved areas;
(e) the manner in which the Government plans to integrate these SMRs into the national-
grid and coordinate with the Ministry of Power and State Governments on grid-
connectivity and local employment; and
(f) the timeline by which the first indigenously designed SMR is expected to achieve grid-
connection and the monitoring framework for its performance?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b) Yes, Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–
26, a total budgetary provision of ₹20,000 crore has been made for the design,
development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This
allocation is aimed at supporting India’s objective of developing and
operationalizing at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.As part of this initiative, BARC has already undertaken design and development
work on SMRs namely,
1. 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200),
2. 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and
3. Up to 5 MWth High temperature gas cooled reactor meant for hydrogen
generation.
BSMR-200 is in advanced stage of obtaining financial and administrative
sanction.
(c) & (d) BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are proposed to be constructed at DAE site located at
Tarapur, Dist. Palghar, Maharashtra. The proposed site for demonstration reactor
is not a remote / underserved areas.
(e) These plants have to be taken as captive power plants in energy intensive sectors.
Indigenous efforts for construction of small modular reactor are likely to create
employment for skilled and unskilled manpower for construction, fabrication,
installation and commissioning activities at SMRs sites. Subsequently manpower
will be required to support operation & maintenance of SMRs which is likely to
engage locals in sustained manner.
(f) The lead units of indigenous SMRs are expected to be operational in 60 to 72
months after receipt of administrative and financial sanctions. Proposed SMRs
are demonstration units. Its performance will be monitored continuously by
designers / regulators for further improvements
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