PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION PROJECTS

1. At a Glance

• Lok Sabha reply (29 Jan 2026) by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) detailing 17 nuclear reactors / 13,100 MW under implementation — 7 under construction + 10 under pre-project activities [S1].
• Maps to India's Nuclear Energy Mission (Union Budget 2025-26) and the 100 GW nuclear by 2047 target [S3][S5].
• Examinable for GS-III (Energy, Infrastructure, S&T) and Prelims (project names, locations, capacities, agencies).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 29 Jan 2026 by DAE answering a Parliament Question titled "Expansion Projects" — lists site-wise reactor data, costs and timelines [S1].
• Linked to the Nuclear Energy Mission (Budget 2025-26) with ₹20,000 cr outlay for SMR R&D, targeting 5 indigenous SMRs by 2033 [S3][S5].
• First Pour of Concrete (FPC) for Kaiga Units 5 & 6 subsequently commenced under NPCIL [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 governs nuclear power; DAE (under PMO) is the parent department [S1].
• NPCIL (PSU under DAE) operates / constructs commercial reactors; BHAVINI for FBR (Kalpakkam).
• Present operating capacity ≈ 8,780 MW (8.78 GW); projected to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 (~3×) [S2].
• 2024-25 nuclear generation: 56,681 MU [S2].
• Long-arc target: 100 GW by 2047 (announced as part of Nuclear Energy Mission, Budget 2025-26) [S3][S5].

4. Core Static Facts

Parent Body: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), under the PMO; implementing PSU — NPCIL [S1].

Projects Under Construction (7 reactors / 6,800 MW) [S1]: | Project | Units × MW | Location | Progress | Cost (₹ cr) | ETA | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | RAPP-7&8 | 2×700 | Rajasthan | 98.60% | 22,924 | 2026 | | KKNPP-3&4 | 2×1000 | Kudankulam, TN | 80.51% | 68,893 | 2027 | | KKNPP-5&6 | 2×1000 | Kudankulam, TN | 41.56% | 68,893 | 2030 | | GHAVP-1&2 | 2×700 | Gorakhpur, Haryana | Civil works | 20,594 | 2032 |

Pre-Project Activities (10 reactors / 6,300 MW) include Kaiga-5&6 (2×700, Karnataka) with combined approved cost ₹1,05,000 cr for the 10-reactor fleet; progressive completion 2031-32 [S1].

Indigenous PHWR: 700 MW (RAPP-7&8, GHAVP, Kaiga-5&6); Imported VVER: 1000 MW (KKNPP-3 to 6, Russian) [S1][S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Aggregate sanctioned outlay across the 17 reactors exceeds ₹2.86 lakh crore [S1]. - ₹20,000 cr allocated under Nuclear Energy Mission for SMR R&D [S3]. - Tripling of capacity to 22.48 GW by 2031-32 supports base-load decarbonisation [S2].

Scientific / Technological - Indigenisation via 700 MW PHWR fleet mode; international cooperation for 1000 MW VVERs at Kudankulam [S2]. - BSMR-200 (Bharat Small Modular Reactor, 200 MWe, PWR-based) co-designed by BARC + NPCIL; build time 60-72 months post-sanction [S3].

Environmental / Strategic - Nuclear is central to India's Panchamrit & net-zero-by-2070 pathway; non-fossil base-load. - Strategic autonomy via thorium-PHWR cycle; safeguards regime for VVERs (post India-IAEA 2008).

Legal / Administrative - Statutory base: Atomic Energy Act, 1962; regulatory oversight: AERB (1983). - Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 governs operator liability — ongoing reform debate to unlock private/foreign participation under the Mission [S3].

Federal - Reactors span Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Gujarat (Mithi Virdi), MP (Chutka), AP (Kovvada) — atomic energy is Union List Entry 6 [S1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Union Budget 2025-26 (Feb 2025): Nuclear Energy Mission announced; ₹20,000 cr for SMRs; target 5 SMRs by 2033; 100 GW by 2047 [S3][S5].
• 29 Jan 2026: DAE Parliament reply detailing 17 reactors / 13,100 MW pipeline [S1].
• Kaiga 5 & 6 FPC commenced under NPCIL; site capacity to rise to 2,280 MW [S2].
• DAE Year End Review 2025 flagged 8.78 GW operational base [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Total under-implementation capacity: 13,100 MW across 17 reactors [S1].
• Under construction: 7 reactors; under pre-project: 10 reactors [S1].
• RAPP-7&8 physical progress: 98.60%, ETA 2026 [S1].
• KKNPP-3&4 ETA 2027; KKNPP-5&6 ETA 2030 [S1].
• GHAVP is at Gorakhpur, Haryana — 2×700 MW PHWR, ETA 2032 [S1].
• Kaiga-5&6: 2×700 MW, Karnataka; post-completion Kaiga site = 2,280 MW [S2].
• Nuclear Energy Mission allocation: ₹20,000 crore (Budget 2025-26) [S3].
• Target: 100 GW nuclear by 2047; 22.48 GW by 2031-32 [S2][S3].
• BSMR capacity: 200 MWe; technology: PWR; developers: BARC + NPCIL [S3].
• Present operational nuclear capacity: 8.78 GW; FY24-25 generation 56,681 MU [S2].
• Implementing agency: NPCIL (PSU under DAE, which reports to PMO, not Ministry of Power) [S1].
• Enabling Act: Atomic Energy Act, 1962; regulator: AERB (since 1983).

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Infrastructure: Energy; Indigenisation of technology.
• Possible stems: 1. "Examine the role of nuclear power in India's energy transition. Critically assess the Nuclear Energy Mission (2025) in light of capacity expansion projects under NPCIL." (15 marks) 2. "The 700 MW indigenous PHWR has emerged as the backbone of India's nuclear expansion. Discuss with reference to recent projects." (10 marks) 3. "Discuss the legal and institutional reforms necessary to achieve the 100 GW nuclear target by 2047." (15 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 & CLND Act, 2010 — statutory architecture under reform.
• Three-Stage Nuclear Programme (Bhabha) — PHWR → FBR → Thorium U-233.
• Kudankulam (KKNPP) & Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation — VVER supply.
• Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) & Nuclear Energy Mission — Budget 2025-26 flagship.
• AERB & IAEA Safeguards (2008 Indo-US deal) — regulatory layer.
• Non-fossil 500 GW by 2030 / Panchamrit / Net-zero 2070 — climate commitments.
• PFBR Kalpakkam (BHAVINI) — Stage-II Fast Breeder Reactor.
• Uranium supply: UCIL, Tummalapalle, foreign sourcing — fuel security.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong parent ministry: DAE is under the PMO, not Ministry of Power or MNRE.
• NPCIL vs BHAVINI: NPCIL runs PHWRs/LWRs; BHAVINI runs PFBR (Kalpakkam) — often swapped.
• Capacity confusion: Operational ≈ 8.78 GW; under implementation = 13.1 GW; target 22.48 GW by 2031-32, not 2030 [S2].
• GHAVP location: It is Gorakhpur, Haryana (Fatehabad district) — NOT Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh [S1].
• SMR vs BSMR: BSMR is the Indian PWR-based 200 MWe variant; SMR is the generic class — Mission funds both under DAE [S3].
• KKNPP units: 1&2 are operational; 3-6 are under construction — don't mark all six as upcoming [S1].

11. Sources

• [S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION PROJECTS (DAE, 29 Jan 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2220292 — (tier 1)
• [S2] Department of Atomic Energy Year End Review 2025 / NPCIL Kaiga 5&6 FPC — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2201302 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2234316 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Nuclear Power in Union Budget 2025-26 / Nuclear Energy Mission — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099244 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098367 — (tier 1)
• [S4] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2223790 — (tier 1)
• [S5] India's Installed Nuclear Power Capacity to Triple by 2031-32 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2037046 — (tier 1)