The central government has constituted dedicated task forces to examine amendments required in the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act as part of efforts to accelerate India’s nuclear energy capacity, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Singh said that the task force under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) includes representatives from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), NITI Aayog, Ministry of Law and Justice (MoLJ), and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This group is reviewing key aspects such as the build-own-operate model of nuclear power plants (NPPs) by the private sector, nuclear safety, security, safeguards, fuel procurement, waste management, and spent fuel reprocessing.
A separate task force is also evaluating necessary changes to the CLND Act to address concerns raised by private suppliers, Singh said.
As part of the Union Budget 2025, the government announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission targeting the deployment of 100 GWe of nuclear energy capacity by 2047. This initiative is critical for achieving India’s Net Zero emissions target by 2070. The mission is aimed at providing a reliable, clean alternative to fossil fuels by replacing retiring thermal power plants, supporting energy-intensive industries with captive nuclear plants, and delivering power to remote and off-grid areas to aid in the decarbonization of the energy sector.
To support these objectives, DAE is actively engaged in the design and development of various Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 55 MWe SMR, and a gas-cooled high-temperature reactor specifically designed for hydrogen production.
The Union Budget 2025 has allocated ₹20,000 crore for the deployment of five SMRs by 2033. This allocation will also fund continued research and development efforts for these reactors.
Additionally, as part of the current financial year’s policy directive, a move has been made to involve the private sector in nuclear energy projects. NPCIL has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting private industries to finance and construct small-sized 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)-based NPPs as captive plants dedicated to electricity production.
Singh announced on Wednesday that North India’s first nuclear power project will be established in Gorakhpur, Haryana. He described the upcoming facility as a major milestone in India’s nuclear energy expansion and a crucial step in advancing the country’s clean energy ambitions.
