Nuclear Energy Mission: A Historic Step Towards India’s Energy Self-Reliance

In the Union Budget 2025–26, the Government of India announced an ambitious “Nuclear Energy Mission” with the goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. This mission forms a vital part of India’s long-term energy transition strategy and the “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision, aimed at ensuring sustainable, secure, and self-reliant energy growth.

Current Status and Targets

Key Features of the Mission

1. Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Initiative
   • SMRs are next-generation reactors (≤300 MW) designed for safety, flexibility, and rapid deployment.
   • BARC aims to operationalize at least five SMRs by 2033.
2. Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)
   • 220 MW Compact Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) based entirely on indigenous design.
   • Intended for captive use, such as industrial hubs or repurposing retired coal plants.
3. Private Sector Participation
   • Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) aim to attract private investment.
   • Public–Private Partnership (PPP) models are being introduced for research, financing, and execution.
4. Indigenous Technology and Research
   • India aspires to be a global leader in thorium-based fuel cycles.
   • Ongoing work on Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) and Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) by BARC and NPCIL.

Significance of Nuclear Energy for India

1. Reliable and Continuous Power Supply
   • Unlike solar and wind, nuclear power provides 24×7 base-load energy with minimal fluctuation.
2. Low Land Requirement
   • As per Economic Survey 2023, solar plants require ~300 times more land than nuclear plants for equivalent power generation.
3. Low Carbon Emissions and Waste Generation
   • Near-zero greenhouse gas emissions and limited solid waste make nuclear energy environmentally sustainable.
4. Leveraging Thorium Reserves
   • India holds about 25% of the world’s thorium reserves, key to long-term energy security.
5. Energy Self-Reliance and Net-Zero Goals
   • Indigenous nuclear reactors and fuel cycle technologies will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and imports.

Major Challenges

1. Public Safety and Social Acceptance
   • Accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima have raised public apprehensions; strong safety communication is essential.
2. Uranium and Mineral Dependence
   • India has limited domestic uranium reserves, leading to import dependency.
   • Sulphuric acid shortage hampers uranium extraction efficiency.
3. Technological Monopoly
   • Advanced reactor technologies are dominated by the U.S., Russia, Japan, and France.
4. Financial and Regulatory Hurdles
   • Nuclear plants are capital-intensive with long gestation periods.
   • Complex licensing and environmental clearance procedures delay projects.
5. Fuel Supply Chain Constraints
   • International control under the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) poses uncertainty in fuel supply.

Way Forward

1. Simplifying Regulatory Framework
   • Develop standardized licensing, safety, and waste management norms for SMRs.
2. Green Finance and Taxonomy Inclusion
   • Classify nuclear power under green taxonomy to enable low-cost financing and global investment.
3. International Cooperation and Technology Transfer
   • Strengthen collaboration with the IAEA and countries like France, Russia, the USA, and Japan for joint R&D and safety standards.
4. Accelerate Thorium-Based Third Stage
   • Prioritize projects like AHWRs and Fast Breeder Reactors to utilize India’s thorium potential.
5. Public Engagement and Transparency
   • Encourage community consultation, safety training, and benefit-sharing models to build trust and social acceptance.

Conclusion

• India possesses world-class scientific institutions, vast thorium reserves, and a strong policy vision for sustainable energy transformation.
• The Nuclear Energy Mission integrates these strengths to advance India toward energy self-reliance and net-zero emissions.
• If implemented with balanced reforms in regulation, financing, and indigenous innovation, India can not only achieve 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, but also emerge as a global leader in safe, clean, and sustainable nuclear energy production.