PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY

1. At a Glance

• Parliament Question reply by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) dated 05 Feb 2026 detailing India's nuclear power roadmap [1].
• Reports installed capacity of 8,780 MW across 24 reactors and 17 reactors (13,100 MW) under implementation, to be progressively commissioned by 2031-32 [1][3].
• Anchors the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat (Budget 2025-26) target of 100 GW by 2047 — relevant to GS-III (Energy, Infrastructure, Science & Tech) [2].

2. Why in the News

• DAE's Lok Sabha reply (05 Feb 2026) reaffirmed expansion pipeline and BHAVINI's commissioning of the 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam; pre-project approval given for 2 × 500 MWe FBR-1 & 2 at Kalpakkam [1].
• Follows the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement of the Nuclear Energy Mission (₹20,000 crore for SMRs; at least 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033) [2].
• Government has introduced the SHANTI Bill, 2025 (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) signalling civil-nuclear sector reform [3].

3. Background & Evolution

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 — statutory base; DAE (1954) under direct charge of the PM [2].
• Three-stage nuclear programme of Homi Bhabha: (1) PHWRs on natural uranium → (2) Fast Breeder Reactors using Pu-239 → (3) Thorium-U-233 cycle [2].
• 2008 Indo-US 123 Agreement & NSG waiver opened imported uranium and LWR cooperation [2].
• Operating utility NPCIL; BHAVINI (2003) for FBRs; NTPC-NPCIL JV (ASHVINI) for new builds [2].
• Capacity rose from ~4,780 MW (2014) to 8,180 MW (Jan 2025) to 8,780 MW (Feb 2026) [1][2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Installed capacity: 8,780 MW; 24 operating reactors (RAPS-1, 100 MW, excluded) [1].
• Under implementation: 17 reactors / 13,100 MW (7 under construction + 10 pre-project) [1].
• Completion horizon: progressively by 2031-32 [1].
• PFBR: 500 MWe, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, executed by BHAVINI [1].
• FBR-1 & 2: 2 × 500 MWe twin unit at Kalpakkam; financial sanction post first criticality of PFBR [1].
• Implementing ministry: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under PMO [1].
• Statutory framework: Atomic Energy Act, 1962; Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [2].
• Mission target: 100 GW nuclear by 2047 (~10% of energy mix); ₹20,000 crore SMR outlay [2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Capital-intensive (₹15-20 crore/MW for PHWR); long gestation (~7-10 yrs) [2].
• ₹20,000 crore SMR R&D outlay; private-sector entry planned via SHANTI Bill [2][3].

Scientific / Technological

• PFBR commissioning closes Stage-2 gap, unlocking thorium utilisation (India holds ~21% of global thorium reserves) [2].
• Indigenous 700 MWe PHWR fleet (Kakrapar-3, Kakrapar-4, RAPP-7,8 etc.) being scaled; SMR design push [2].

Environmental / Climate

• Nuclear = low-carbon baseload, central to Net-Zero by 2070 and 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030 commitment [2].

Geopolitical / Strategic

• LWRs via Russia (Kudankulam 1-6), planned cooperation with France (Jaitapur EPRs), US (Westinghouse AP1000) [2].
• 100 GW target aids energy security & reduces fossil import bill [2].

Legal / Constitutional

• Atomic Energy — Union List Entry 6; CLND Act 2010 supplier-liability remains an FDI bottleneck; SHANTI Bill 2025 proposes liberalisation [3].

Administrative

• Pre-project stage delays (land, fuel tie-ups, financial closure); centralised model via NPCIL/BHAVINI/ASHVINI JV [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Feb 2025: Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025-26 with 100 GW-by-2047 goal & SMR fund [2].
• 2025: Introduction of SHANTI Bill, 2025 to allow private/foreign participation [3].
• 2025-26: PFBR (Kalpakkam) in active commissioning under BHAVINI [1].
• 05 Feb 2026: DAE Parliament reply confirming 8,780 MW installed and 13,100 MW pipeline [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Present installed nuclear capacity: 8,780 MW / 24 reactors (RAPS-1 excluded) [1].
• 17 reactors / 13,100 MW under implementation; completion by 2031-32 [1].
• PFBR at Kalpakkam = 500 MWe, executed by BHAVINI (not NPCIL) [1].
• FBR-1 & 2 = 2 × 500 MWe, twin unit, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu [1].
• Nuclear Energy Mission target: 100 GW by 2047 [2].
• SMR outlay: ₹20,000 crore; 5 indigenous SMRs by 2033 [2].
• DAE is under the Prime Minister's Office (no separate Cabinet Minister) [1].
• Parent statute: Atomic Energy Act, 1962; liability statute: CLND Act, 2010 [2].
• New Bill: SHANTI Bill, 2025 (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear energy for Transforming India) [3].
• RAPS-1 (100 MW) is excluded from installed capacity (under extended shutdown) [1].
• Atomic Energy = Union List, Entry 6 [2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Energy security; Infrastructure; Indigenisation of technology; Climate change mitigation.
• GS-II: Government policies — Nuclear Energy Mission; statutory reforms (SHANTI Bill).
• Plausible stems: 1. "Achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 requires a paradigm shift from a state-monopoly model. Discuss." 2. "Examine the significance of completing the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme with the commissioning of the PFBR at Kalpakkam." 3. "The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 has been a persistent constraint on India's civil nuclear expansion. Critically analyse in light of recent legislative proposals."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Three-Stage Nuclear Programme — direct backbone of PFBR/FBR push.
• CLND Act, 2010 — supplier liability debate.
• SHANTI Bill, 2025 — sectoral reform vehicle.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — Budget 2025-26 thrust.
• Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal & NSG waiver (2008) — historical enabler.
• Net-Zero 2070 / Panchamrit pledges — climate context.
• Kudankulam, Jaitapur, Kovvada projects — site-specific facts.
• NPCIL, BHAVINI, ASHVINI JV — implementing agencies.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing NPCIL (PHWR/LWR operator) with BHAVINI (FBR operator) — PFBR is BHAVINI's.
• Misstating installed capacity: correct figure is 8,780 MW (Feb 2026), not 6,780 / 7,480 / 8,180 (Jan 2025 figure).
• Assuming DAE is under Ministry of Power — it is under the PMO.
• Treating RAPS-1 (100 MW) as part of installed capacity — it is excluded.
• Conflating the Nuclear Energy Mission target (100 GW by 2047) with the older 22,480 MW-by-2031 figure.