Parliament Question: Zero Custom Duty on Imports for Nuclear Sector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO–3001 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2026 ZERO CUSTOM DUTY ON IMPORTS FOR NUCLEAR SECTOR 3001. SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE SMT. BHARTI PARDHI SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:- (a) the details of benefits and advantages of the zero customs duty on imports for nuclear power projects announced in the Union Budget 2026-27; (b) the objectives sought to be achieved through this tax exemption in terms of project viability, cost reduction, timely capacity expansion and overall strengthening of the nuclear energy sector; (c) the categories of equipments, components or technologies covered under the zero-duty regime including reactors, turbines and related systems; (d) the manner in which this measure is expected to facilitate timely execution of upcoming nuclear power projects and attract domestic and foreign investment; and (e) the manner in which this incentive aligns with long-term national goals of clean energy transition, energy security and low-carbon growth along with the expected impact on India’s nuclear energy capacity? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) The Zero customs duty on the imports of goods required for nuclear power projects will result in reduction of the project cost and the unit cost of electricity generated. This will make the projects more viable. (b) The customs duty exemption on imports of goods required for Nuclear Power Projects will make the projects more economically viable and result in reduced tariffs for the consumers. This will also enable wider private participation in backdrop of SHANTI Act, 2025.(c) The categories of equipment expected to be covered under the zero custom duty regime are critical equipment such as Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs), Steam Generators (SGs), Pressurizers, Turbines and other related equipment for Light Water Reactors being set up with foreign cooperation (d) The custom duty exemption on imported components will reduce timelines involved in custom clearances and result in faster deliveries of equipment to projects. (e) The customs duty exemption will augment addition of nuclear energy at faster pace thereby achieving the goals of 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047 and clean energy transition towards Net Zero carbon emissions by the year 2070. *****