PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY

1. At a Glance

• India's nuclear power programme is undergoing its largest-ever expansion push, anchored by the Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM) announced in Union Budget 2025-26, targeting 100 GWe by 2047 [1].
• 20 reactors are currently under implementation (10 under construction, 10 under pre-project activities), spanning Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh [2].
• This links energy security, net-zero commitments (2070), indigenous technology (SMRs/PHWRs), and pending legal reforms (Atomic Energy Act, Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act) — a high-yield GS-II/III topic.

2. Why in the News

• PIB press release dated 30 July 2026 — a Parliament (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) question response by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) detailing project-wise status of reactors under construction and pre-project activities [2].
• Follows the February 2025 Budget announcement of the Nuclear Energy Mission and ongoing legislative work on amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [3].

3. Background & Evolution

• India's civil nuclear programme traces to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, which vests control of nuclear energy production exclusively in the Central Government/public sector.
• NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) is the sole entity historically authorized to build and operate nuclear power plants.
• 2010: Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act enacted post-Indo-US nuclear deal, but its supplier-liability clauses deterred foreign/private investment.
• Budget 2025-26 (Feb 2025): Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat announced with ₹20,000 crore allocation for SMR R&D [3].
• 2025 onward: DAE constitutes Task Forces (with AERB, NPCIL, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Law & Justice, MEA) to draft amendments enabling private-sector build-own-operate models and to review CLND Act liability provisions [4].
• July 2026: Current status update — 20 reactors in pipeline, reflecting mid-course execution of the expansion target [2].

4. Core Static Facts

Parameter	Detail
Nodal Ministry/Department	Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), under PMO's direct charge [2]
Implementing PSU	NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.)
Current installed capacity	~8.78 GW [1]
Target capacity 2031-32	~22 GW (on completion of projects under implementation) [1]
Target capacity 2047	100 GWe (Nuclear Energy Mission target); NPCIL's own projection ~54 GW by 2047 [1]
Reactors under implementation	20 total — 10 under construction/commissioning + 10 under pre-project activities [2]
Key under-construction projects	RAPP-8 (Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, 700 MW); KKNPP-3&4 and 5&6 (Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, 2×1000 MW each); PFBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, 500 MW); GHAVP-1&2 (Gorakhpur, Haryana, 2×700 MW); KAIGA-5&6 (Karnataka, 2×700 MW) [2]
Key pre-project sites	GHAVP-3&4 (Haryana); Chutka-1&2 (Madhya Pradesh); Mahi Banswara-1&2 (Rajasthan) — all 700 MW PHWR units [2]
Small Modular Reactor designs	Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200, 200 MWe) and SMR-55 (55 MWe), for brownfield sites [1]
SMR target	At least 5 indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033 [1][3]
Budget allocation (SMR R&D)	₹20,000 crore, Union Budget 2025-26 [3]
Enabling laws under amendment	Atomic Energy Act, 1962; Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [4]
Task Force composition	DAE, AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board), NPCIL, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Law & Justice, MEA [4]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Nuclear expansion is capital-intensive (e.g., KKNPP-3&4 alone approved at ₹68,893 crore) [2]; private capital infusion via Act amendments seen as necessary to sustain the 100 GW target [4].
• Positioned as a baseload, low-carbon alternative reducing coal-import dependence and supporting energy security.

Environmental

• Nuclear is central to India's 2070 net-zero pledge, offering carbon-free baseload power to complement intermittent renewables (solar/wind) [1].

Scientific/Technological

• Two-pronged technology strategy: large indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs plus large imported reactors at greenfield sites (rapid capacity addition) vs. small modular reactors (BSMR-200, SMR-55) for brownfield/decentralized deployment [1].
• PFBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor) reflects India's three-stage nuclear programme (natural uranium → plutonium → thorium), a distinctly indigenous R&D trajectory.

Legal/Constitutional

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 currently reserves nuclear power generation to the public sector; amendment needed to permit private "build-own-operate" models [4].
• CLND Act, 2010's supplier liability clause (Section 17) has long been cited as the chief deterrent to foreign reactor suppliers (e.g., US, French firms) — proposed amendments aim to align it with international liability conventions [4].

Administrative/Governance

• Execution spans multiple states (Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh), requiring Centre-state land acquisition and clearance coordination.
• Task Force mechanism shows inter-ministerial coordination (DAE-NITI Aayog-MEA-Law Ministry) preceding actual legislative amendment — a preparatory/consultative governance stage as of the news date.

Geopolitical/Strategic

• Private/foreign participation reforms are linked to unlocking collaboration with US, French, and Russian reactor technology suppliers, tied also to India's Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation legacy.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Feb 2025: Union Budget announces Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat; ₹20,000 crore for SMR R&D; target of 100 GW by 2047 declared [1][3].
• 2025: DAE constitutes Task Forces on Atomic Energy Act amendments and CLND Act review [4].
• Dec 2025: Document titled "The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear..." (draft legislative/policy framework) surfaces on PIB, indicating active drafting of nuclear sector reforms [4].
• 30 July 2026: Parliament informed that 20 reactors are under implementation (10 construction + 10 pre-project), with project-wise cost and capacity details tabled [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat was announced in Union Budget 2025-26 [1][3].
• Target: 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047; interim NPCIL target ~22 GW by 2031-32 [1].
• India's current nuclear capacity (as of the Mission announcement) was ~8.78 GW [1].
• Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹20,000 crore for Small Modular Reactor R&D [3].
• Target of at least 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033 [1][3].
• India's indigenous SMR designs: BSMR-200 (200 MWe) and SMR-55 (55 MWe) [1].
• As of 30 July 2026, 20 reactors under implementation: 10 under construction, 10 under pre-project activities [2].
• PFBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, 500 MW) is being built at Kalpakkam under the DAE/BHAVINI ambit, part of Stage-II of India's three-stage nuclear programme (noted in the under-construction list) [2].
• KKNPP-3&4 and KKNPP-5&6 (Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu) are each 2×1000 MW, among India's largest reactor units [2].
• Two laws slated for amendment to enable Nuclear Energy Mission: Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [4].
• Nodal department: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which reports directly to the Prime Minister's Office.
• Implementing PSU for nuclear power plants: NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited).
• GHAVP (Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana) is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh — a common confusion trap [2].
• Chutka nuclear project is located in Madhya Pradesh; Mahi Banswara project in Rajasthan [2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Infrastructure — Energy; Science & Technology — indigenization of technology; Environment — climate change mitigation, net-zero pathway.
• GS-II: Government policies and interventions; statutory/regulatory bodies (AERB); issues of federalism in project siting.
• Possible Mains question stems: 1. "Discuss the significance of the Nuclear Energy Mission in India's pursuit of energy security and its 2070 net-zero target. What legislative reforms are necessary to enable private sector participation in nuclear power generation?" (GS-III) 2. "Examine the liability concerns under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 that have historically deterred foreign and private investment in India's nuclear sector." (GS-II/III) 3. "Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being projected as a game-changer for India's nuclear expansion. Evaluate their potential and the associated technological and regulatory challenges." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• India's three-stage nuclear power programme (Homi Bhabha's strategy) — foundational context for PFBR and thorium utilization.
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — detailed provisions, Section 17 controversy, comparison with international nuclear liability conventions (Vienna/Paris/CSC).
• Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (123 Agreement, 2008) — geopolitical backdrop to foreign reactor collaboration.
• India's Net Zero 2070 pledge (COP26, Glasgow) — links nuclear expansion to broader climate commitments.
• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) — regulatory/safety oversight framework relevant to private sector entry.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission / Renewable Energy targets (500 GW non-fossil by 2030) — comparative clean-energy policy architecture.
• Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) — PSU specifically handling fast breeder reactors, distinct from NPCIL.
• Uranium and thorium reserves in India (Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh; monazite sands of Kerala) — resource-base linkage to Stage-III programme.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing DAE (policy/nodal department, under PMO) with NPCIL (implementing PSU) — questions often test which body does what.
• Mixing up the 100 GW by 2047 overall Mission target with NPCIL's own ~54 GW by 2047 / 22 GW by 2031-32 implementation-based projections — these are distinct figures from different sources [1].
• Assuming private companies can already build/own nuclear plants — as of this news, this requires pending amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, not yet enacted [4].
• Misplacing project locations — e.g., GHAVP is in Haryana, not UP; Kaiga is in Karnataka, not Maharashtra [2].
• Confusing CLND Act, 2010 (civil liability/compensation framework) with the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (control/ownership of nuclear material and production) — they serve different legal purposes and both are separately under amendment [4].