Lok Sabha Question No. 490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: "Nuclear Mission"
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -490 ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025

## NUCLEAR MISSION

## 490.    ADV. GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) w hether  the  Government  has  launched  the  'Nuclear  Mission'  in  the  Union  Budget 2025-26 with an allocation of Rs.  20,000  crore  for  R&D  in  Small  Modular  Reactors (SMRs) targeting at least five indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  SMR  projects  which  have  been  sanctioned  so  far  and  the  quantum  of funds released during the current year;
- (c) whether any of these SMR projects are proposed to be located in Maharashtra or nearby regions including in tribal or backward districts and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken/being taken to streamline regulatory clearances, land and utility access for SMR deployment in remote/underserved areas;
- (e) the manner in which the Government plans to integrate these SMRs into the nationalgrid  and  coordinate  with  the  Ministry  of  Power  and  State  Governments  on  gridconnectivity and local employment; and
- (f) the timeline by which the first indigenously designed SMR is expected to achieve gridconnection and the monitoring framework for its performance?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes, Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025 -26,  a  total budgetary provision of ₹20,000 crore has been made for the design, development, and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This allocation is aimed at supporting India's objective of developing and operationalizing at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.

As part of this initiative, BARC has already undertaken design and development work on SMRs namely,

1. 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200),
2. 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and
3.  Up  to  5  MWth  High  temperature  gas  cooled  reactor  meant  for  hydrogen generation.

BSMR-200  is  in  advanced  stage  of  obtaining  financial  and  administrative sanction.

- (c)  & (d)  BSMR-200 and SMR-55 are proposed to be constructed at DAE site located at Tarapur, Dist. Palghar, Maharashtra.  The proposed site for demonstration reactor is not a remote / underserved areas.
- (e) These plants have to be taken as captive power plants in energy intensive sectors. Indigenous efforts for construction of small modular reactor are likely to create employment  for  skilled  and  unskilled  manpower  for  construction,  fabrication, installation and commissioning activities at SMRs sites.  Subsequently manpower will be required to support operation & maintenance of SMRs which is likely to engage locals in sustained manner.
- (f) The lead units  of  indigenous  SMRs  are  expected  to  be  operational  in  60  to  72 months after receipt of administrative and financial sanctions.  Proposed SMRs are  demonstration  units.    Its  performance  will  be  monitored  continuously  by designers / regulators for further improvements

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