**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4480, addressed on August 20, 2025, the Government of India, through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), provided details regarding the Research and Development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) following the announcement of the ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission during the Budget 2025-26.
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a unit of DAE, is currently developing the following SMRs: (i) Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) for repurposing retiring thermal power plants and for captive power plants in energy-intensive industries; (ii) SMR-55 for providing energy to remote and off-grid locations; and (iii) a 5 MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor for hydrogen generation. The initial units of these reactors are planned for DAE sites, with subsequent units located at end-user industry sites (for captive power) and brownfield sites of retiring thermal power plants. In-principle approval has been obtained for the construction of these reactors.
There are plans to establish some of the newly proposed SMR-type reactors at BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Sites for Nuclear Power Plants including SMRs are finalized based on various criteria decided by the Site Selection Committee. Prospective vendors and public or private institutions will be selected on the basis of appropriate bidding process, for execution of equipment delivery, construction, erection and commissioning activities pertaining to these reactors.
BARC has developed a new campus at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. This new campus will be housing several research reactors and RD facilities in addition to some of the new SMRs being developed by the Department.
Key Entities Referenced
Nuclear Energy Mission: A government initiative announced during the Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore for Research and Development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A type of nuclear reactor that is smaller and more modular than traditional nuclear reactors.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India being considered for participation in SMR research and potentially as a pilot state for operationalization of indigenously developed SMRs.
Tirupati district: A district in Andhra Pradesh, India, where academic and scientific institutions might be involved in R&D collaboration on nuclear technology.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): A constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) responsible for developing Small Modular Reactors.
Vizag, Andhra Pradesh: A location in Andhra Pradesh where BARC has developed a new campus to house research reactors, R&D facilities, and new SMRs.
Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR200): A Small Modular Reactor being developed by BARC for repurposing retiring thermal power plants and captive power plants for energy intensive industry.
High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor: A 5 MWth reactor being developed for hydrogen generation to decarbonise transport sector process industries.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO – 4480
ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025
R&D OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
4480. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) the current status of the Rs.20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission announced during the
Budget 2025–26 for the Research and Development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs);
(b) whether any public or private institutions in Andhra Pradesh have been selected to
participate in SMR research or proposed to host such facilities and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is planning to involve academic or scientific institutions in
Tirupati district such as those under SVIMS or IISER for R&D collaboration on nuclear
technology and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of roadmap for ensuring equitable regional participation in SMR development;
and
(e) whether the Government will consider Andhra Pradesh as a pilot State for the
operationalisation of indigenously developed SMRs by 2033 and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) During the Budget 2025 announcement the government had launched a Nuclear Energy
Mission with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore for research and development of Small
Modular Reactors (SMRs). Currently, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) a
constituent unit of DAE, is developing following Small Modular Reactors:
i. Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR-200) for repurposing of retiring thermal
power plants & captive power plants for energy intensive industry such as
aluminium, steel, metal etc.
ii. Small Modular Reactors (SMR-55) for providing energy for remote as well as off
grid location with objective to decarbonise the energy sector.
Page 1 of 2iii. High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor of capacity 5 MWth for hydrogen
generation for decarbonisation of transport sector & process industries. Lead
units of these reactors are planned to be set up at DAE sites. The subsequent
units are to be located at the sites of the end-user industry in case of captive
power plants and at brownfield sites of retiring thermal power plants. The
Department has obtained in-principle approval for construction of these
reactors.
(b) (c) & (d) There are plans to establish some of the newly proposed SMR-type reactors at
BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Sites for Nuclear Power Plants including SMRs
are finalized based on various criteria decided by the Site Selection Committee.
Prospective vendors and public or private institutions will be selected on the basis
of appropriate bidding process, for execution of equipment delivery, construction,
erection and commissioning activities pertaining to these reactors.
(e) BARC has developed a new campus at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. This new campus
will be housing several research reactors and R&D facilities in addition to some
of the new SMRs being developed by the Department.
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