India's Nuclear Power Capacity Set To Nearly Triple To 22.5 GW By 2031-32 As Government Expands Reactor Fleet—All About It

The government has announced a major push for nuclear energy in the Union Budget 2025-26, with an aim to strengthen the sector through private participation and increased investment in advanced reactor technologies.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has stated that the “Nuclear Mission” introduced in the budget will mark a transformative shift in India's energy landscape and will enable Nuclear Power to emerge as a major source of energy in India.

For the first time, the nuclear energy sector is being opened to private sector participation, a move Singh described as "revolutionary".

He noted that for nearly seven decades, nuclear energy sector in India operated under secrecy.

The decision to allow private sector involvement is expected to accelerate innovation, enhance capacity expansion, and improve efficiency.

Dr. Singh drew a parallel with the space sector, which has seen rapid development and commercialisation since it was opened to private enterprises.

To support nuclear expansion, the government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26 for research and development in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

These reactors, which are smaller and more flexible than conventional nuclear plants, are being developed as a scalable and sustainable energy solution.

The government has set a target of establishing at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.

This initiative is part of India’s broader goal to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, a significant increase from the current 8,180 MW.

India’s nuclear power expansion also includes the construction of ten new reactors across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, which will increase nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.

Additionally, plans are underway for ten more reactors, including a 6 x 1,208 MW nuclear power plant at Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with the United States.

Highlighting a key milestone in India’s nuclear programme, Singh noted that on 19 September last year, the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project’s Unit-7 (RAPP-7) reached criticality.

This marked the beginning of a controlled fission chain reaction—an achievement highlighting India’s growing nuclear prowess.

The push for nuclear energy is part of India's commitment to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy generation by 2030, in line with its COP26 pledge and net-zero emissions target for 2070.

The government sees nuclear power as a crucial component of its clean energy strategy, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and ensuring a stable, long-term energy supply.

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