PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

1. At a Glance

• Nuclear power is a key pillar of India's clean-energy transition, implemented by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and BHAVINI, under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). [1]
• India currently has multiple reactors under construction across Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, aimed at tripling capacity by 2031-32. [1][2]
• Relevant for Prelims (numbers, reactor names, locations) and Mains GS-III (energy security, indigenous technology, clean energy mix). [2]

2. Why in the News

• A Parliament Question (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) reply dated 13 August 2026 by the DAE gave a project-wise status table of nuclear power projects under construction, including RAPP-7, RAPP-8, GHAVP-1&2, and KAIGA-5. [1]
• RAPP-7 (700 MW) at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, commenced commercial operation on 15 April 2026; RAPP-8 is in advanced commissioning, expected operational in 2026. [1]

3. Background & Evolution

• DAE established projects under NPCIL (formed 1987) to build and operate India's fleet of nuclear reactors, historically dominated by Indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (IPHWR) of 220 MW and later 700 MW design. [1]
• Government earlier announced plans to raise installed nuclear capacity from 7,480 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. [2]
• BHAVINI is commissioning the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking India's move into the second stage of its three-stage nuclear programme. [1]
• The Nuclear Energy Mission roadmap targets 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. [1]

4. Core Static Facts

Item	Detail
Nodal Department	Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) [1]
Implementing PSUs	NPCIL (for IPHWR/LWR fleet), BHAVINI (for PFBR) [1]
RAPP-7	Rawatbhata, Rajasthan; 700 MW; commercial operation from 15.04.2026 [1]
RAPP-8	Rawatbhata, Rajasthan; 700 MW; advanced commissioning, due 2026 [1]
GHAVP-1 & 2	Gorakhpur, Haryana (North India's first nuclear project); 700 MW each; ~6 years from First Pour of Concrete [1]
KAIGA-5	Karnataka; under construction (per PQ table) [1]
Near-term target	22,480 MW installed capacity by 2031-32 (from base of 7,480 MW) [2]
Long-term target	100 GW by 2047 (Nuclear Energy Mission) [1]
Planned additions by 2035	KAPP-5&6 (2×700 MW), RAPP-9&10 (2×700 MW), NAPP-3&4 (2×700 MW) [1]
Current share in installed capacity	~1.6%, projected ~3.7% by 2032 [2]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Sanctioned costs are frequently revised upward — e.g., RAPP-7 revised from Rs. 12,320 crore to Rs. 22,924 crore — reflecting cost/time overruns typical of large infrastructure projects. [1]
• Nuclear expansion supports domestic heavy engineering, forging, and reactor-component manufacturing ecosystems tied to NPCIL contracts. [1]

Environmental

• Nuclear power is a low-carbon baseload source, supporting India's Panchamrit/net-zero-2070 commitments alongside renewables. [1]

Geopolitical/Strategic

• Expansion strategy includes indigenous IPHWR technology plus imported Light Water Reactor (LWR) projects, reflecting India's "two-pronged strategy" for capacity growth. [1]
• Energy security diversification reduces long-term dependence on fossil fuel imports.

Scientific/Technological

• PFBR at Kalpakkam represents Stage-2 of India's three-stage nuclear programme (natural uranium → plutonium/thorium breeding). [1]
• Move toward 700 MW IPHWR units (up from earlier 220 MW) reflects indigenous technology scale-up. [1]

Administrative

• Commissioning timelines routinely slip (e.g., GHAVP originally due Sep-2020/Mar-2021, still under construction in 2026), showing execution bottlenecks in large infrastructure projects. [1]
• Gorakhpur (Haryana) project required extensive land acquisition/local coordination as North India's first nuclear plant. [1]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 15 April 2026 — RAPP-7 (700 MW), Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, commenced commercial operation. [1]
• 13 August 2026 — DAE tabled a detailed Parliament reply on status of under-construction nuclear projects (RAPP-8, GHAVP-1&2, KAIGA-5, etc.). [1]
• Government reiterated the 100 GW by 2047 target under the Nuclear Energy Mission, with new reactors (KAPP-5&6, RAPP-9&10, NAPP-3&4) planned by 2035. [1]

7. Prelims Hooks

• RAPP-7 and RAPP-8 are located at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, each of 700 MW capacity. [1]
• RAPP-7 commenced commercial operation on 15 April 2026. [1]
• Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant (Haryana) is North India's first nuclear power project (GHAVP-1 & 2, 700 MW each). [1]
• KAIGA-5 is located in Karnataka, under the IPHWR category. [1]
• BHAVINI operates the 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu — India's Stage-2 fast breeder reactor. [1]
• Government target: raise nuclear capacity from 7,480 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. [2]
• Long-term Nuclear Energy Mission target: 100 GW by 2047. [1]
• Future planned reactors by 2035: KAPP-5&6, RAPP-9&10, NAPP-3&4 (each pair 2×700 MW). [1]
• Nodal department: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE); implementing agency NPCIL (not Ministry of Power). [1]
• Nuclear power's share in India's installed capacity is projected to rise from ~1.6% to ~3.7% by 2032. [2]
• RAPP-7's sanctioned cost was revised from Rs. 12,320 crore to Rs. 22,924 crore. [1]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Infrastructure — Energy; Science & Technology — indigenous technology development.
• GS-II (peripheral): Government policies and interventions for energy sector development.
• Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the role of nuclear power in India's clean energy transition and examine the challenges in meeting the 100 GW by 2047 target." (GS-III) 2. "Examine the reasons behind cost and time overruns in India's nuclear power projects, citing recent examples." (GS-III) 3. "Explain India's three-stage nuclear power programme and its significance for long-term energy security." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Three-stage nuclear programme (Bhabha Plan) — foundational framework behind PFBR and thorium utilisation.
• Nuclear Energy Mission / 100 GW by 2047 — the overarching policy target driving current expansion.
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — legal barrier to foreign private investment in nuclear projects.
• India's Panchamrit commitments / Net Zero 2070 — climate policy context for nuclear expansion.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — emerging technology being promoted for private/PSU participation.
• NPCIL-private sector partnership reforms — recent push to allow private investment in nuclear power.
• International nuclear cooperation agreements (e.g., with Russia, France, USA) — geopolitical dimension of reactor imports.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing NPCIL (fleet operator) with BHAVINI (operates only the PFBR) — different PSUs under DAE. [1]
• Assuming nuclear power falls under the Ministry of Power — it is actually under the Department of Atomic Energy, Prime Minister's charge. [1]
• Mixing up capacity targets: 22,480 MW by 2031-32 (medium-term) vs 100 GW by 2047 (long-term Nuclear Energy Mission target) — these are distinct milestones. [1][2]
• Assuming all under-construction reactors are IPHWR type — the fleet also includes imported LWR projects under the "two-pronged strategy." [1]
• Treating "sanctioned cost" figures as final — costs are frequently revised (e.g., RAPP-7 nearly doubled). [1]