Lok Sabha Question No. 793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Nuclear Cooperation with Russia
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 793 ANSWERED ON 04/02/2026

## NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA

## 793. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is negotiating expanded nuclear cooperation with the Russian State  nuclear  corporation  ROSATOM, including deployment of VVER-1200 reactors and small modular reactors in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  the  number  of  new  nuclear  power  plant  projects  proposed  under  this cooperation along with the expected investment commitment and timeline;
- (c) whether  any  of  these  proposed  units  are  planned  for  the  State  of  Maharashtra  or  for regions requiring industrial uplift including tribal districts and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of safeguards being established by the Government to ensure nuclear-safety, local stakeholder consultation, environmental & social impact compliance especially in sensitive zones;
- (e) the manner in which the Government intends to ensure that local communities benefit from job-creation, skill-development and local supply-chain opportunities arising from new nuclear projects; and
- (f) the  timeframe  by  which  the  contracts  are  likely  to  be  finalized,  land-acquisition completed  and  first  construction  activities  initiated  under  these  Indo-Russian  nuclear cooperation projects?

## ANSWER

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

## (a) (b) (c) (f)

Regular  discussions  are  on  between  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  and ROSATOM to strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, including in the area of large capacity Nuclear Power Plants and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). However, no details have been finalised yet.

- (d) Safety  is  accorded  highest  priority  at  all  stages  of  nuclear  power  plants.  The  nuclear power plants are set up strictly in line with the stage-wise clearances of the regulatory authority,  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).  As  regards  stakeholder consultations,  formal  stakeholder  consultation  is  carried  out  as  a  part  of  the  public hearings carried on the Social Impact Assessment report in line with the RFCTLARR Act

for land acquisition and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for obtaining environmental  clearance  from  MoEF&CC.  In  addition,  a  large  public  awareness programme  is  implemented  to  reach  out  to  various  stakeholders.  All  the  conditions/ recommendations laid down in the safety, environmental and other clearances / consents accorded by various agencies are diligently implemented.

- (e)    As a general policy, special provisions for relaxations in Age and Marks are given for Project Affected Persons in NPCIL, a PSU under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Further,  preference  to  suitable  local  youth  is  also  a  part  of  engagement  provisions  of various  contracts.  Skill  development  programmes,  scholarships  and  sponsorships  for higher education to the meritorious students in the local area are also provided as a part of  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  activities.    Government  takes  up  many  initiatives around new sites where projects are under construction or under pre-project activities in addition to existing operating sites. Many social welfare schemes have been implemented by  NPCIL,  largely  in  the  areas  of  education  including  skill  development,  healthcare, infrastructure development and sanitation for benefit of the surrounding populations at its installations, to ensure inclusive growth.

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