The safety and performance of nuclear power plants are continuously reviewed by NPCIL and AERB, incorporating domestic and international operating experience and global standards. Upgrades are implemented in existing and new designs. Challenges in scaling up nuclear power capacity include site availability, land acquisition, statutory clearances, local issues, safety concerns, supplier limitations, and capital requirements. NPCIL coordinates with state governments on land acquisition and R&R. A public awareness program and the SHANTI Act are in place to address apprehensions and encourage investment. This information was provided by Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 05 FEB 2026 at 3:47 PM in Delhi. Release ID: 2223783, Visitor Counter: 186.
Key Entities Referenced
AERB: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, the regulatory authority that periodically reviews nuclear power plants.
NPCIL: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, an entity that internally reviews the safety and performance of nuclear power plants.
SHANTI Act: A structured public awareness programme enacted to enable larger participation and encourage investments in the nuclear power sector.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SCALING UP
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:47PM by PIB Delhi
The safety and performance of nuclear power plants are continuously reviewed internally by NPCIL and
periodically by the regulatory authority, AERB. In addition to this operating experience both domestic and
international along with evolving global standards are taken into consideration for ensuring project safety.
Necessary upgrades in design, systems, practices, procedures and workforce training & licensing are then
implemented in the existing plants and new designs evolved incorporating such enhanced features. This is
an ongoing exercise.
Availability of suitable sites, difficulties in land acquisition and related R&R, obtaining statutory
clearances, addressing local issues, apprehensions about nuclear safety, limited number of suppliers and
large capital requirements are among the major challenges in scaling up nuclear power capacity.
NPCIL is working closely in coordination with state governments to address issues related to land
acquisition and R&R. A structured public awareness programme is being implemented to spread
awareness and address apprehensions. The SHANTI Act has been enacted to enable larger participation
and encouraging investments in nuclear power sector.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and
Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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NKR/NM
(Release ID: 2223783) Visitor Counter : 186
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