**Executive Summary**
This document addresses a parliamentary question regarding nuclear power plants and safety standards. It outlines the current status of nuclear power plant development, including the planned construction of new reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The document also details the budgetary allocation for SMR research and development, and emphasizes the continuous monitoring and upgrading of safety measures at nuclear power plant sites. The timeline mentions completion of new reactors by 2031-32, and a goal to develop/operationalize five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nuclear Power Plant Development:**
* 18 new reactors with a total capacity of 13.6 GW are under implementation, expected to be completed by 2031-32.
* Plans include 20 indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MW each, split into two fleets of 10 reactors.
* Light Water Reactors are also planned with foreign cooperation.
* BARC plans to establish demonstration units of the 200 Mwe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and 55 Mwe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) at DAE sites.
* **Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):**
* A budgetary provision of ₹20,000 crore has been allocated for research, design, development, and deployment of SMRs.
* The goal is to develop and operationalize at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
* BARC has already undertaken design and development work on three SMRs:
* 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 reactors are proposed to be constructed at DAE sites for technology demonstration within 60-72 months of administrative and financial sanction.
* **Cost Outlay for SMRs (₹ Cr):**
* BSMR-200 (lead unit): 5960
* SMR-55 (2 units): 7000
* HTGCR (lead unit): 320
* Design, engineering & development works (common to all): 800
* **Safety and Security Standards:**
* A system ensures nuclear power plant safety through robust regulatory mechanisms and safety reviews at multiple levels.
* The safety of nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and reviewed by the AERB.
* Safety upgrades are implemented based on evolving global standards and operating experience.
* Multiple security systems, including physical security, electronic systems, and cyber security measures, are in place.
* These systems are subject to periodic audits, reviews, and upgrades.
**Impact Analysis**
**BARC**
* **Impact:** Responsible for designing, developing, and deploying SMRs, including the construction of demonstration units. Responsible for the utilization of allocated funds.
* **Action Required:** Continue the design and development work on SMRs, construct the lead units, and ensure the allocated funds are used efficiently.
**DAE Sites**
* **Impact:** Location for constructing the lead units of SMRs for technology demonstration.
* **Action Required:** Prepare the sites for the construction of the SMR demonstration units.
**Regulatory Authorities (including AERB)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the regulatory oversight and safety reviews of nuclear power plants.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and review the safety of nuclear power plants and enforce necessary upgrades.
**Public**
* **Impact:** Affected by the safety and security of nuclear power plants.
* **Action Required:** None specified in the document.
**Government**
* **Impact:** Responsible for allocating budget and overseeing the progress of nuclear energy development.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the progress of SMR development and ensure the safety and security of nuclear power plants.
Key Entities Referenced
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Focus of the budgetary allocation, aiming for indigenous design and operationalization.
Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200): One of the specific Small Modular Reactor designs mentioned in the document.
Nuclear Energy Mission: The umbrella program under which the SMR project is being implemented.
Department of Atomic Energy: The primary governmental body responsible for overseeing nuclear power initiatives.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants in India.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER
PLANTS AND SAFETY STANDARDS
प्रव तथ: 04 DEC 2025 6:17PM by PIB Delhi
There are 18 new reactors with a total capacity of 13.6 GW at various stages of implementation
which are expected to be completed progressively by 2031-32. In addition, 20 indigenous Pressurised
Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each in two fleets of 10 reactors each (one at existing
and approved sites and another at a new site) along with Light Water Reactors with foreign
cooperation at existing sites are planned. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, BARC has planned to
establish demonstration units of the 200 Mwe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and 55
Mwe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) at DAE sites.
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 research, 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.
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
administrative and financial sanctions.
The estimated tilization of the allocated funds by BARC toward setting up SMRs is mentioned below:
Reactor Cost Outlay (Rs Cr)
BSMR-200 (lead unit) 5960
SMR-55 (2 units) 7000
HTGCR (lead unit) 320
Design, engineering & development works (common 800
to all)A system to ensure safety of nuclear power plants and a robust regulatory mechanism of safety
reviews at multiple levels both within the utility and regulatory authority are in place. The safety of
nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and reviewed by the AERB. Further, safety is not static
and improvements/ upgrades are affected in nuclear power plants including older plants based on
evolving global standards, events and operating experience feedback. As far as nuclear security is
concerned, multiple security systems, based on physical security (CISF cover), electronic systems and
systems for ensuring cyber security are in place at all nuclear power plant sites. These systems are
subjected to periodic audits, reviews and necessary upgrades.
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