**Executive Summary**
The document answers questions regarding the Indian government's plans for including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in its long-term energy policy. It details initiatives for the design, development, and establishment of SMRs, including pilot projects and regulatory frameworks. Funds have been allocated for Research & Development of indigenous SMRs by 2033.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **SMR Development and Deployment:**
* BARC is designing, developing, and establishing SMRs for captive power plants, repurposing retiring fossil fuel plants, and deployment in remote locations.
* The Department has initiated design and development of SMRs.
* A 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) lead unit is proposed at Tarapur Atomic Power station site, Maharashtra.
* A 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) lead unit is proposed to be constructed at Tarapur.
* Up to 5 MWth high temperature gas cooled reactor planned for hydrogen generation at BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
* **Funding and Research:**
* Funds are provisioned for research, design, development, and deployment of SMRs under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
* Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is undertaking design and development of SMRs with focus on lead units for technology demonstration.
* The tentative cost for demonstration unit of BSMR-200 is around 27 Cr/ MWe.
* **Regulatory Framework:**
* The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is responsible for safety regulation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) through licensing, safety reviews, and inspections.
* AERB is empowered to lay down safety codes, standards, and guides and enforce safety requirements.
* AERB ensures NPPs comply with regulatory requirements at all stages: siting, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning.
* AERB issues licenses for NPP operation valid for up to five years, with continuous monitoring and inspections.
* Comprehensive Periodic Safety Reviews (PSR) are required every ten years.
* AERB has reviewed its existing regulatory requirements and concluded that the same regulatory framework can generally be applied for safety regulation of advanced reactors such as SMRs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: BARC**
* **Impact:** Responsible for design, development, and establishment of SMRs.
* **Action Required:** Continue design, development, and construction of SMRs and demonstration units.
**Stakeholder: Department of Atomic Energy**
* **Impact:** Overseeing and funding SMR development under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provision funds and support research, design, development, and deployment of SMRs.
**Stakeholder: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of SMRs.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and enforce safety regulations, conduct safety reviews, and issue licenses for SMRs.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities (e.g., Tarapur, Vizag)**
* **Impact:** Potential benefits from clean energy source, but also concerns about nuclear safety.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the development and safety of SMR projects in their regions.
Key Entities Referenced
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Subject of the question, referring to their inclusion in long-term energy policy and pilot projects.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): Responsible for the safety regulation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), including SMRs, and licensing.
Nuclear Energy Mission: Initiative under which funds are allocated for Research & Development of indigenous SMRs.
Atomic Energy Act, 1962: Law under which the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was constituted, providing it regulatory powers.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): International agency whose safety standards are taken into account by AERB.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO–786
ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
SMALL MODULAR REACTORS FOR CLEAN AND LOW-CARBON ENERGY
786. SHRI GANESH SINGH
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is proposing to include Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in
country’s long-term energy policy in view of the goals of clean and low-carbon energy and
if so, the details of initiatives taken so far in this direction;
(b) whether the Government is studying the possibility of setting up a first-of-its kind SMR
pilot projects in industrial and energy-prospective areas like Madhya Pradesh or Satna
considering the passive safety, modular design and potential for industrial applications of
SMRs and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the action taken/being taken by the Government for adopting standardised
regulatory framework, techno-economic assessment, safeguards by design with
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and innovative financial mechanisms for safe
and timely development of SMRs?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) BARC has taken-up design, development and establishment of Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs) suitable for deployment as captive power plants for the energy intensive sectors,
repurposing of retiring fossil fuel based power plants, and deployment in remote location
with no grid connectivity. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, funds have also been
allocated for Research & Development of indigenous SMRs by 2033.
The Department has recently initiated design and development of SMRs namely,
1. 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200). Lead unit proposed at Tarapur
Atomic Power station site, Maharashtra.2. 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55). Lead unit proposed to be constructed at
Tarapur.
Additionally, up to 5 MWth high temperature gas cooled reactor has also been planned for
hydrogen generation. This reactor is proposed to be constructed at BARC Vizag, Andhra
Pradesh.
(b) The matter is presently not under consideration within this Department.
(c) Government of India has provisioned funds towards research, design, development and
deployment of SMRs under the Nuclear Energy Mission. In view of this Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre has undertaken design and development of SMRs with main focus on
construction of lead units at DAE site for technology demonstration. The tentative cost of
demonstration unit of BSMR-200 is around 27 Cr/ MWe. Subsequent to successful
demonstration of technology, the cost of the reactor is likely to reduce on account of
standardisation of design and economy of scale.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has been constituted by a statutory order (S.O.
4772) under the provisions of Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to enforce
certain safety and regulatory provisions of the Act under Section 16, 17 and 18. AERB is
responsible for safety regulation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), which is done through
its regulatory processes of licensing / consenting, safety review and periodic regulatory
inspections. AERB is empowered to lay down safety codes, standards and guides as well
as enforce safety requirements. AERB has established requirements for nuclear &
radiation safety of NPPs which takes into account the safety standards of International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and international best practices.
Different types / designs of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) in India are designed,
constructed, commissioned & operated complying with the regulatory requirements of
AERB. AERB carries out safety review of NPPs during their consenting stages, viz. siting,
construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning. After satisfactory review
during siting, construction and commissioning stages, AERB issues license for operation
to NPP, valid for a period of up to five years. During the license period, safety
performance of an operating NPP is monitored in compliance with regulatory
requirements, through safety reviews and regulatory inspections. Further, during operation,
all plants are required to undergo a comprehensive Periodic Safety Review (PSR), everyten years, as per the regulatory requirements. During PSR, the safety of the plant is
assessed considering cumulative effects of ageing, plant modifications, operating
experience as well as comparison with the current safety requirements / practices, and
necessary safety upgrades are identified and implemented.
AERB safety and regulatory requirements for licensing of NPPs are mostly technology
neutral. In light of the evolving developments in the field of SMRs, AERB has conducted
review of its existing regulatory requirements and concluded that the same regulatory
framework can generally be applied for safety regulation of advanced reactors such as
SMRs, except a few technology specific aspects for which review may be required when
details of proposed sites and design of specific SMR is submitted to AERB. AERB also
participates in various international forums to keep itself abreast about the developments
in regulation of SMRs and suitably adopt them when required.
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