India's Nuclear Mission Gets Bigger With 5 SMRs by 2033

India's Nuclear Mission is gaining momentum with a plan to operationalize five indigenous SMRs by 2033.

The move is part of the government's long-term strategy to expand clean energy generation. The Nuclear Mission also aims to increase the country's installed nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047.

The announcement was made by Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The government is also pushing major policy reforms to speed up nuclear energy growth. Parliament has passed the SHANTI Act, 2025, allowing private companies to participate in the nuclear energy sector. The decision is expected to attract investment and support the development of advanced reactor technologies.

SHANTI Act Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Participation

Dr. Jitendra Singh said the SHANTI Act marks a major change in India's nuclear policy. The new law allows private participation in a sector that was previously dominated by the government.  The government expects the move to strengthen domestic manufacturing and encourage innovation. It also aims to speed up the deployment of new nuclear technologies across the country.

The policy change supports India's broader clean energy plans. Nuclear power is expected to play a bigger role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

BARC Developing Three Indigenous Reactor Technologies

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing multiple indigenous reactor technologies under the nuclear expansion program.

The projects include:

• Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) with a capacity of 220 MW.
• A 55 MW small modular reactor.
• A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor designed for hydrogen production.

These technologies are expected to improve India's energy security. The hydrogen-producing reactor could also support the country's clean hydrogen ambitions.

Also Read: Hydrogen Storage Innovations Are Driving India's Clean Energy Push

Nuclear Capacity to Reach 22 GW by 2032

India's installed nuclear power capacity currently stands at 8.78 GW.

According to the government's roadmap, the capacity is expected to reach around 22 GW by 2031-32. This increase will come as projects under construction are completed in phases.

The long-term target remains 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.

Key Highlights

• India plans to operationalize five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
• Parliament has passed the SHANTI Act, 2025.
• The law allows private participation in the nuclear energy sector.
• BARC is developing a 220 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
• It is also working on a 55 MW reactor.
• A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor for hydrogen production is under development.
• India's installed nuclear capacity stands at 8.78 GW.
• The government expects capacity to reach around 22 GW by 2031-32.
• The Nuclear Energy Mission targets 100 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2047.