DPG Policy Brief
A New Vigour around India’s Nuclear Power Programme
Authors Dr. Manpreet Sethi
Date: May 08, 2025
Ever since the government of India announced the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat during the presentation of the Union Budget of 2025-26, a new vibrancy has seized the national nuclear power sector. An ambitious target of generation of 100 GWe electricity from nuclear reactors has been set for 2047. This is seen as critical for India to live up to its commitment of net zero emissions by 2070.
In this policy brief, the author makes a detailed assessment of India’s civil nuclear programme on three key aspects: the pace and state of operationalisation of indigenous and imported large capacity conventional nuclear reactors; the pathways towards adding small modular reactors (SMRs – BSMRs) and their role in India’s energy mix; and the adoption of necessary legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate private sector participation in both these programmes.
Given that India today generates a mere 8.8 GWe from its 25 nuclear reactors, achieving the goal of 100 GWe in a little over two decades from now poses an obvious challenge, and will require many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle from within and outside the country to come together quickly, safely and sustainably. The author examines the kind of technology, policy, legislative and regulatory changes that will be needed to ensure this outcome.
The brief highlights that the Indian government has already indicated a readiness to move on all fronts - amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable participation by foreign and domestic private sectors; incentivise public-private partnership with tax concessions and long term financing; invite foreign direct investment; ensure stringent regulatory processes for nuclear safety and security; facilitate faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing of decommissioned thermal sites; build skilled manpower capacity; and most importantly change the public perception on nuclear energy.
The author concludes by urging India’s nuclear establishment to remain steady, transparent and cautious as it opens up to collaborations with domestic and foreign companies. Safety and security must be uppermost at all time, even as India seizes the historic opportunity to enhance the share of nuclear power generation to the national energy mix in support of the country’s long-term energy transition.
To read this DPG Policy Brief Vol. X, Issue 16, please click “A New Vigour around India’s Nuclear Power Programme”.
In this policy brief, the author makes a detailed assessment of India’s civil nuclear programme on three key aspects: the pace and state of operationalisation of indigenous and imported large capacity conventional nuclear reactors; the pathways towards adding small modular reactors (SMRs – BSMRs) and their role in India’s energy mix; and the adoption of necessary legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate private sector participation in both these programmes.
Given that India today generates a mere 8.8 GWe from its 25 nuclear reactors, achieving the goal of 100 GWe in a little over two decades from now poses an obvious challenge, and will require many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle from within and outside the country to come together quickly, safely and sustainably. The author examines the kind of technology, policy, legislative and regulatory changes that will be needed to ensure this outcome.
The brief highlights that the Indian government has already indicated a readiness to move on all fronts - amend the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable participation by foreign and domestic private sectors; incentivise public-private partnership with tax concessions and long term financing; invite foreign direct investment; ensure stringent regulatory processes for nuclear safety and security; facilitate faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing of decommissioned thermal sites; build skilled manpower capacity; and most importantly change the public perception on nuclear energy.
The author concludes by urging India’s nuclear establishment to remain steady, transparent and cautious as it opens up to collaborations with domestic and foreign companies. Safety and security must be uppermost at all time, even as India seizes the historic opportunity to enhance the share of nuclear power generation to the national energy mix in support of the country’s long-term energy transition.
To read this DPG Policy Brief Vol. X, Issue 16, please click “A New Vigour around India’s Nuclear Power Programme”.
