The Union Budget’s ₹20,000 crore allocation for nuclear expansion prioritises Small Modular Reactors over conventional plants. Five indigenous SMRs are targeted for operation by 2033, supporting longer-term capacity goals of 100 GW by 2047.
Nuclear power contributes just 3% of India’s electricity generation through 23 operational reactors totalling 7.48 GW capacity. Historical delays and cost overruns have limited expansion despite abundant uranium resources and established reactor technology.
SMRs offer advantages including lower capital requirements, shorter construction periods and greater deployment flexibility. The technology could address persistent challenges in India’s nuclear programme while building indigenous design capabilities through organisations like BARC.
International fuel supply agreements with Kazakhstan, Canada and Russia support expansion plans, though domestic uranium mining remains limited. The nuclear mission aligns with net-zero commitments by providing carbon-free baseload power complementing intermittent renewables.