Nuclear energy is central to India's net-zero commitment. Critically evaluate India's nuclear capacity expansion roadmap and associated bottlenecks.

Q. Nuclear energy is central to India's net-zero commitment. Critically evaluate India's nuclear capacity expansion roadmap and associated bottlenecks. (15 marks, 250 words)

Nuclear power offers round-the-clock clean baseload critical for India's net-zero by 2070 pledge [4]. The Nuclear Energy Mission targets 100 GW by 2047, an ~11x jump from the current ~8.78 GW, backed by the SHANTI Act, 2025 — the roadmap's promise and its stress-points deserve equal scrutiny.

Strengths of the roadmap - Legal reform: SHANTI Act, 2025 ends the state monopoly, permitting private companies and joint ventures to build, own and operate plants, widening the financing base [2]. - Technology mix: indigenous PHWR + LWR by NPCIL plus ₹20,000 crore for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for faster, decentralised deployment [3]. - Demonstrated execution: 4 reactors (3,100 MW) commissioned in the last decade; 9 (7,500 MW) under construction [1]. - Sovereign safeguards: fuel cycle, waste and security stay under government control even after opening up [2].

Bottlenecks - Execution gap: capacity must rise from ~8.78 GW to ~22 GW by 2031-32 and then 100 GW — a steep, historically unmet pace [2]. - Liability deterrent: the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 still chills private and foreign investment. - SMRs unproven commercially in India; fuel supply and skilled-workforce constraints persist. - Multi-actor coordination across NPCIL, PSUs and private players risks delays.

The roadmap is ambitious and structurally sound, but its 2047 credibility hinges on liability reform, SMR maturation and disciplined execution. Aligning it with SDG-7 and net-zero, calibrated implementation — not legislation alone — will determine success.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Enhancing Nuclear Energy Generation (PIB) — reactors commissioned (4/3,100 MW) and under construction (9/7,500 MW) 2. PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat (PIB) — 100 GW/2047 target, 8.78→22 GW trajectory, private participation, sovereign control 3. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 (PIB) — legal framework, ₹20,000 crore SMR outlay, technology mix 4. Nuclear Energy Critical for India's Net Zero Goal (PIB) — nuclear as clean baseload for net-zero 2070