Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Nuclear Mission
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2783

ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025

## NUCLEAR MISSION

## 2783.   DR. D. PURANDESWARI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government has launched  a national 'Nuclear Mission' to meet country's growing energy demands through clean and environment-friendly sources and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the target set for achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047 and the roadmap to achieve the said goal;
- (c) whether Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being developed to ensure decentralized and scalable nuclear power solutions across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the role of private sector participation and indigenous R&D in supporting the Nuclear Mission and enhancing technological innovation; and
- (e) the manner  in  which  this  Mission  reinforces  country's  long -term  clean  energy  and net-zero commitments?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes. The Nuclear Energy Mission launched by the Government envisages reaching a nuclear power capacity of about 100 GW by 2047 through deployment of existing and emerging advanced nuclear technologies, both indigenous & with foreign cooperation.
- (b) The Government has drawn up a roadmap to reach a capacity of 100 GW by 2047, of which NPCIL will contributing 54 GW by 2047 by setting up new nuclear power plants based on indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and Light Water Reactors with foreign cooperation.
- (c) Yes.  BARC has initiated design and development works on SMRs namely,
- (i) 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), and
- (ii) 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55)

BSMR-200  and  SMR-55  can  be  deployed  as  captive  plant  for  energy  intensive industries such as aluminum, steel, etc., repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants and for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations. Thus, these SMRs are positioned as key contributors to ensure decentralised, scalable and cleaner nuclear power solutions across the country. Additionally, a high temperature gas cooled reactor with capacity up to 5 MWth is also being developed for hydrogen production.

- (d) Necessary  technology  for  deployment  of  the  large  reactors  such  as  700  MWe indigenous PHWRs and Small reactors such as BSMR-200 and SMR-55, is available in the country and majority of equipment are within manufacturing capability of Indian industries  with  technological  handholding  by  DAE.    Post  FY  2024-25  budget announcement  of  private  players'  participation  in  deploying  Bharat  Small  Reactors (BSR) as captive plants  for industries,  NPCIL has floated 'Request for  Proposal' to deploy 220-MW PHWR technology-based BSR reactors by Indian Industries, under the existing legal framework.  The mission is further supported by R&D with objective to develop indigenous advanced reactors comprising safety features, its fuel cycles and technology  for  hydrogen  production  for  coupling  with  reactors  for  decarbonising transport sector & process industry.
- (e) Nuclear power is a clean, base load source of electricity available 24X7. The lifecycle emissions of nuclear power are comparable to those of renewables like hydro and wind. Thus,  nuclear  energy  will  contribute  significantly  in  India's  clean  energy  transition towards Net Zero by 2070.

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