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India's installed nuclear capacity stands at 8,780 MW across 24 reactors — 3.1% of electricity generation in 2025-26 — with a Nuclear Energy Mission target of 100 GW by 2047
The roadmap projects ~22 GW by 2031-32 under NPCIL, a further 32 GW under NPCIL post-2032 (PHWR/LWR), and the balance ~45 GW via other PSEs, private players and joint ventures
The SHANTI Act, 2025 (in force since 21 December 2025) repealed the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, gave AERB full statutory status, and caps private/foreign equity in civilian nuclear projects at 49%
PFBR (500 MWe), India's first fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam, attained first criticality on 6 April 2026; 10 more reactors (8,000 MW) are under construction across Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Karnataka
Reach 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 for energy security, clean generation and net-zero goals
Key: Envisages the major contribution from indigenous PHWR technology, plus SMR R&D and advanced reactor technologies
Widen public and private participation in nuclear power
Key: Repeals the AEA 1962 and CLND Act 2010; gives AERB full statutory status; caps private/foreign equity at 49% in civilian nuclear projects while allowing private EPC and plant maintenance
Develop and deploy indigenous Small Modular Reactors
Key: ₹20,000-crore outlay; target of at least 5 indigenously designed SMRs operational by 2033
Central PSU that builds and operates India's nuclear power plants
Builds and operates India's fast breeder reactors, including the PFBR at Kalpakkam
Nuclear safety regulator; given full statutory status by the SHANTI Act, 2025
NPCIL-NTPC joint venture implementing the Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project, Rajasthan (Units 1-4)
Replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010; statutory basis for AERB and for private/state participation in nuclear power
Original framework under which India's nuclear programme and AERB (1983) operated for over six decades, until superseded by the SHANTI Act
India's current fleet runs mainly on indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology — using natural uranium with heavy water as moderator/coolant — the base for the 100 GW-by-2047 target (Stage 1 of Homi Bhabha's three-stage programme). Fast Breeder Reactors like the PFBR use fast neutrons with no moderator to 'breed' more fissile material (plutonium) than they consume, and belong to Stage 2 — the bridge to eventually exploiting India's large thorium reserves in Stage 3.
Simple Analogy: Stage 1 burns natural uranium; Stage 2 'breeds' new fuel from what Stage 1 leaves behind; Stage 3 is built to run on thorium.
| Reactor | Location | Capacity | Status (as of reply) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KKNPP-3&4 | Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu | 2×1000 MW | 82.65% — due Jun 2027 / Jun 2028 |
| KKNPP-5&6 | Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu | 2×1000 MW | 45.00% — due Jun 2029 / Mar 2030 |
| GHAVP-1&2 | Gorakhpur, Haryana | 2×700 MW | First Pour of Concrete pending ground works |
| Kaiga-5&6 | Karnataka | 2×700 MW | First Pour of Concrete done — due Jun 2031 / Jun 2032 |
| RAPP-8 | Rawatbhata, Rajasthan | 1×700 MW | 96.26% — expected operational in 2026 |
PHWRs (Stage 1) → Fast Breeder Reactors using plutonium (Stage 2, PFBR) → thorium-based reactors (Stage 3) — the Nuclear Energy Mission's PHWR-led target and the FBR-1&2 approval both sit inside this original strategy
Among the world's oldest continuously-referenced operating power reactors (commissioned 1969); resumed operation after major refurbishment, cited in this reply as a life-extension success
GS Paper 3 > Infrastructure > Energy / Science & Technology > Nuclear Energy
It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents. 2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed. 3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: 2 and 3 only
High — SHANTI Act and the 100 GW mission are freshly enacted and recur across Parliament sessions
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act — repealed the AEA 1962 and CLND Act 2010, gave AERB statutory status, opened the sector to capped private participation
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor — India's first fast breeder reactor (500 MWe), built by BHAVINI at Kalpakkam, attained first criticality 6 April 2026