PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTOR

1. At a Glance

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced fission reactors typically ≤300 MWe with modular, factory-built components; flagged by India as a clean, reliable energy source for industrial decarbonisation [S1][S3].
India is developing the indigenous Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and SMR-55, plus a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) variant for private deployment [S2][S4].
Examinable as a GS-III intersection of energy security, climate commitments, and S&T policy.

PIB release by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) on 04 Feb 2026 answering a Parliament Question on SMR development [S1].
Follows the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025-26 with a ₹20,000 crore outlay and target of at least 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033 [S2][S4].
Parliament has taken up the SHANTI Act, 2025 (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) consolidating nuclear law and permitting limited private participation [S4].

India's three-stage nuclear programme historically delivered via PHWRs (220/540/700 MWe) under NPCIL; SMR push began with PM's climate commitments at COP-26 (2021) [S3].
2022: MoS DAE Dr Jitendra Singh flagged SMR development up to 300 MW for clean-energy transition [S3].
Feb 2025: Nuclear Energy Mission launched in Budget 2025-26 [S4].
2025: SHANTI Act, 2025 enacted; amendments to Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 initiated [S4].
2025-26: NPCIL issued RFP for 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) to Indian industry for captive use [S4].

Implementing bodies: DAE (parent), BARC (design/R&D lead), NPCIL (deployment) [S2][S4].
Designs under development:
BSMR-200 — 200 MWe; concept design of lead unit complete [S2].
SMR-55 — 55 MWe [S2].
BSR-220 — 220 MWe, private-captive variant [S4].
High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) — up to 5 MWth [S4].
Lead-unit cost (BSMR-200): ~₹5,700 crore [S2].
Lead-unit site: Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra [S2].
Construction timeline: Erection + start-up in 6 years post financial approval; commercial operation by end of 7th year [S2].
Mission outlay: ₹20,000 crore under Budget 2025-26 [S2][S4].
Target: 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033 [S2].
Enabling law: SHANTI Act, 2025; pending amendments to Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and CLNDA, 2010 [S4].
Deployment philosophy: Brownfield, captive industrial plants, repurposing retiring fossil-fuel stations, and remote off-grid sites; smaller exclusion zone due to enhanced passive safety → lower land footprint [S1].

Economic — Captive power for energy-intensive sectors (steel, aluminium) [S2]; potential to repurpose retiring coal plants, conserving land and grid assets [S1]; private-sector entry through BSR-220 [S4].
Environmental — Supports decarbonisation consistent with India's Panchamrit pledges (Net Zero by 2070); nuclear treated as clean firm baseload [S1].
Scientific / Technological — Indigenous PHWR-derived design; factory-fabricated modules; passive safety systems reduce exclusion-zone radius [S1][S2].
Legal / Constitutional — Atomic Energy is a Union List subject (Entry 6 List I, Schedule VII); SHANTI Act, 2025 & CLNDA amendments needed to admit private operators [S4].
Strategic — Reduces import dependence on fossil fuels; aligns with IAEA SMR Platform and global net-zero discourse; remote-site deployment serves border/strategic locations [S1][S4].
Administrative — Joint BARC-NPCIL execution; brownfield siting (Tarapur) avoids fresh land acquisition disputes [S2].

Feb 2025: Nuclear Energy Mission with ₹20,000 cr announced in Budget 2025-26 [S2][S4].
2025: SHANTI Act, 2025 enacted [S4].
2025: NPCIL issued RFP for BSR-220 to Indian industry for captive plants [S4].
04 Feb 2026: DAE Parliament reply reiterating SMR deployment strategy for brownfield/industrial/off-grid use [S1].
2026: Concept design of BSMR-200 lead unit including primary heat transport sizing completed [S2].

SMR capacity range globally: up to ~300 MWe [S3].
BSMR-200 = 200 MWe; SMR-55 = 55 MWe; BSR = 220 MWe [S2][S4].
Nuclear Energy Mission outlay: ₹20,000 crore (Budget 2025-26) [S2].
Target: 5 indigenous SMRs by 2033 [S2].
Lead-unit site: Tarapur, Maharashtra [S2].
Lead-unit cost: ₹5,700 crore [S2].
Lead developer pair: BARC (design) + NPCIL (deployment) under DAE [S2][S4].
HTGR under BARC: up to 5 MWth [S4].
New enabling statute: SHANTI Act, 2025 [S4].
Acts being amended: Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [S4].
Construction timeline: 6 years to start-up + 1 year to commercial operation [S2].
SMRs envisaged for captive industrial power, retiring thermal plant repurposing, off-grid remote areas [S1].
Atomic Energy is a Union List subject (Entry 6).

GS-III: Energy security; Infrastructure; Science & Technology — indigenisation; Environment — climate change mitigation.
GS-II: Government policies and interventions (Nuclear Energy Mission); Statutory reforms (SHANTI Act).
Probable stems: 1. "Small Modular Reactors can be a game-changer for India's net-zero transition, but the legal and liability regime remains the binding constraint." Discuss. 2. Critically evaluate the rationale and design of India's Nuclear Energy Mission (2025-26) with reference to SMR deployment. 3. Examine the role of private sector participation in India's civilian nuclear programme in light of the SHANTI Act, 2025.

Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — supplier-liability debate critical to private SMR entry.
India-US 123 Agreement & NSG waiver (2008) — fuel supply backbone for SMR fleet.
Three-Stage Nuclear Programme (Bhabha plan) — strategic context.
IAEA & Generation-IV International Forum — international SMR standards.
India's INDCs / Panchamrit / Net-Zero 2070 — climate linkage.
Bharat Small Reactor (BSR-220) RFP — private-sector mechanism.
Coal Phase-down & Just Transition — brownfield repurposing rationale.
PRANAM / AHWR / Thorium roadmap — adjacent indigenous tech.

BSMR-200 (200 MWe) ≠ BSR-220 (220 MWe) — different designs and deployment models [S2][S4].
SMRs are not under Ministry of Power; they are under DAE (which reports directly to the PM, not MNRE).
Nuclear Energy Mission outlay is ₹20,000 cr, not ₹2,000 cr; target year is 2033, not 2030 [S2].
SHANTI Act 2025 replaces/consolidates — it does not repeal CLNDA; CLNDA amendments are separate [S4].
IAEA defines SMR as up to 300 MWe, not 1000 MWe (latter is conventional large reactor).

[S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTOR (DAE, 04 Feb 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2223310 — (tier: 1)
[S2] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PROGRESS OF THE BHARAT SMALL MODULAR REACTOR — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2118377 — (tier: 1)
[S3] Dr Jitendra Singh on SMR up to 300 MW for clean energy transition — https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1879298 — (tier: 1)
[S4] Nuclear Power in Union Budget 2025-26 / Nuclear Energy Mission & SHANTI Act — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099244 — (tier: 1)