PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

I have sufficient grounded facts. Writing the note now.

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS — UPSC Study Note

1. At a Glance

• India operates 24 nuclear power reactors (excluding RAPS-1) with installed capacity 8,780 MW, run by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) [S1][S2].
• Government roadmap targets 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025-26 [S1][S3].
• UPSC relevance: intersects energy security, climate (net-zero 2070), federal regulation, S&T self-reliance, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act debate.

2. Why in the News

• 11 Feb 2026: DAE reply in Parliament reaffirmed the 100 GW by 2047 roadmap and disclosed phased capacity targets (22 GW by 2031-32; 54 GW by 2047 via NPCIL; balance 46 GW via other PSEs and private route) [S1].
• Budget 2025-26 (1 Feb 2025): ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission for R&D of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — target 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033 [S3][S4].
• RAPP-7 (700 MW PHWR) achieved first criticality in Sept 2024 [S5].

3. Background & Evolution

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 — statutory base; DAE set up 1954 under PM directly [S1].
• 3-stage nuclear programme (Homi Bhabha doctrine): Stage I PHWR (natural U) → Stage II FBR (Pu-239) → Stage III Thorium [S4].
• NPCIL incorporated 1987 under Companies Act as DAE PSU [S2].
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 post Indo-US 123 Agreement (2008) [S3].
• KAPP-3 (2023) & KAPP-4 (2024): India's first indigenous 700 MW PHWRs commissioned [S2][S5].

4. Core Static Facts

• Current installed capacity: 8,780 MW across 24 reactors (excluding RAPS-1) [S1][S2].
• Operating PSU: NPCIL (and BHAVINI for FBR) under DAE [S1].
• Reactor types deployed: PHWR (indigenous), BWR (Tarapur 1&2), VVER-LWR (Kudankulam, Russian) [S2].
• Roadmap milestones:
• 2031-32 → ~22 GW (projects under implementation) [S1].
• Beyond 2032 → +32 GW by NPCIL (PHWR + LWR) → 54 GW by 2047 [S1].
• Balance 46 GW by other Central/State PSEs and private route [S1].
• Nuclear Energy Mission: ₹20,000 crore; 5 SMRs by 2033 [S3][S4].
• Proposed amendments: Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable private participation [S3].
• Regulator: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), 1983 [S2].
• Subject: Union List — Entry 6 (atomic energy & mineral resources necessary for it).

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Capex-heavy; SMRs reduce per-unit capex and siting risk; private capital unlock requires CLNDA amendment [S3]. - Repurposing retiring coal plants with SMRs leverages existing grid/water infra (BARC concept) [S3].

Environmental / Climate - Nuclear is firm low-carbon baseload; central to Net-Zero by 2070 and 500 GW non-fossil by 2030 pledge [S4]. - Thorium route via molten salt reactors to exploit India's Monazite reserves (~21% of world thorium) [S3].

Scientific / Technological - Indigenous 700 MW PHWR standardised (KAPP 3-4, RAPP 7-8, GHAVP) [S2][S5]. - BARC developing Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) and High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) for hydrogen co-generation [S3].

Legal / Constitutional - Atomic energy is a Union subject (Schedule VII, Union List Entry 6). - CLNDA, 2010 §17(b) "supplier liability" clause has deterred foreign vendors; amendment under consideration [S3].

Geopolitical / Strategic - India outside NPT; operates under India-specific IAEA safeguards (2009) post NSG waiver (2008). - Imported LWR fuel/tech: Russia (Kudankulam), France (Jaitapur EPR — pending), USA (Westinghouse, stalled).

Administrative - Single-window through DAE; land/water clearances are state-dependent; community opposition (Kudankulam, Jaitapur) a recurring bottleneck.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Feb 2026: Parliament reply on 100 GW roadmap (this PQ) [S1].
• Apr 2026: NPCIL's indigenous 700 MW PHWR at Rawatbhata (RAPP-7) reached full power [S5].
• Sept 2024: RAPP-7 first criticality [S5].
• Feb 2025: Nuclear Energy Mission with ₹20,000 cr SMR R&D outlay announced in Budget [S3][S4].
• 2023-24: Last two-year addition of 2,100 MW (KAPP-3, KAPP-4, RAPP-7) [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• India operating reactors: 24, capacity 8,780 MW [S1].
• RAPS-1 excluded from count — under long-term shutdown [S2].
• Nuclear Energy Mission outlay: ₹20,000 crore; 5 SMRs by 2033 [S3].
• 100 GW by 2047 target — announced in Budget 2025-26 [S3][S4].
• 2031-32 target: ~22 GW [S1].
• NPCIL share by 2047: 54 GW; non-NPCIL (PSE/private): 46 GW [S1].
• First indigenous 700 MW PHWR: KAPP-3 (commercial ops 2023) [S2].
• RAPP-7 criticality: Sept 2024 [S5].
• Acts to be amended: Atomic Energy Act 1962 & CLNDA 2010 [S3].
• Regulator: AERB (1983) — under DAE, not MoEFCC.
• BARC developing Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for coal-plant repurposing [S3].
• Atomic energy is Union List Entry 6.
• Imported LWRs: Kudankulam (Russia, VVER-1000).
• Implementing ministry: Dept of Atomic Energy (directly under PMO, not Ministry of Power) [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Energy security; Infrastructure (Energy); Science & Technology — indigenisation; Environment — climate mitigation.
• GS-II: Government policies (Nuclear Energy Mission); Statutory bodies (AERB); Centre-State (siting).
• Likely stems: 1. "Examine the feasibility of India's 100 GW nuclear target by 2047 in the light of capacity-addition trends and CLNDA constraints." 2. "Small Modular Reactors are projected as the workhorses of India's clean energy transition. Critically assess." 3. "Discuss the role of nuclear power in India's net-zero 2070 pathway, contrasting it with renewables."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — §17(b) supplier liability debate.
• India's 3-Stage Nuclear Programme & Thorium FBR (PFBR Kalpakkam) — Stage II milestone.
• NSG, IAEA Safeguards, Indo-US 123 Agreement — international interface.
• 500 GW non-fossil by 2030 / Panchamrit pledges — energy mix context.
• Green Hydrogen Mission — co-generation via HTGRs.
• Coal phase-down & Just Transition — SMRs repurposing coal sites.
• AERB & nuclear safety governance — post-Fukushima audits.
• Critical Minerals — Uranium, Thorium, Monazite — fuel security.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong parent ministry: DAE reports to PMO directly, not Ministry of Power or MNRE.
• Reactor count: 24 excludes RAPS-1 (often miscounted as 23 or 25).
• First 700 MW PHWR ≠ KAPP-1; it is KAPP-3 (KAPP-1&2 are 220 MW) [S2].
• AERB is not constitutional/statutory under a dedicated Act — created by executive order under Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
• Nuclear Energy Mission ₹20,000 cr is for SMR R&D, not total nuclear capex.
• Kudankulam reactors are Russian VVER LWRs, not PHWRs.

11. Sources

• [S1] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (PIB, 11 Feb 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2226340 — (tier 1)
• [S2] PARLIAMENT QUESTION: OPERATIONAL NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2153085 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Nuclear Power in Union Budget 2025-26 (PIB, DAE) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099244 — (tier 1)
• [S4] Nuclear Energy Mission for SMR R&D — Budget 2025-26 (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098367 — (tier 1)
• [S5] NPCIL's indigenous 700 MW PHWR at Rawatbhata reaches full power (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2226649 — (tier 1)