Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, visited Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) on June 17, 2026, to review the recently granted 10-year life extension of TAPS Units 1&2. These units, commissioned in 1969, are the world's oldest operating commercial nuclear power reactors and represent Asia's first nuclear power station outside the Soviet bloc.
During the visit, Dr. Mohanty inaugurated the Primary Coolant Pump Test Facility (PCPTF) in the presence of Shri V. Rajesh, Chairman & Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) (Additional Charge). The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has approved continued operation of TAPS 1&2 following an extensive life-extension and modernization program undertaken under stringent regulatory oversight with a 'Zero Harm' philosophy.
The life-extension program involved comprehensive inspection, refurbishment, replacement and renewal of critical systems and components. Indigenous technologies were deployed for reactor integrity assessment, modernization of electrical systems, and implementation of measures to enhance long-term operational reliability and safety. The program enables the reactors to operate for approximately 10 more years, reflecting India's transformation from technology acquisition to technological self-reliance.
Over its 55-year operational history, TAPS 1&2 have generated more than 100 billion units of clean electricity, contributing significantly to India's energy security while avoiding over 86 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The station has played a foundational role in shaping India's nuclear engineering capabilities, operational practices, and safety culture, serving as a model for ageing management and sustainable nuclear operation.
The continued operation of TAPS 1&2 reinforces India's commitment to clean energy, energy security, and sustainable development while preserving one of the nation's most significant scientific and technological achievements. As India advances toward the vision of Viksit Bharat, nuclear power will play an increasingly important role in delivering reliable, round-the-clock low-carbon electricity.