The Department of Atomic Energy provided a comprehensive update on India's nuclear energy expansion program through a parliamentary response. Parliament has enacted The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, which enables wider participation of both public and private sectors in achieving the government's target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, as outlined in the Union Budget 2025-26 Nuclear Energy Mission.
During the last ten years, thirteen reactors totaling 10,600 MW capacity have been at various stages of construction and commissioning. Four reactors with total capacity of 3,100 MW have commenced commercial operation: KKNPP-2 (1 × 1000 MW) in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu; KAPP-3&4 (2 × 700 MW) in Kakrapar, Gujarat; and RAPP-7 (1 × 700 MW) in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan.
Nine reactors with total capacity of 7,500 MW are currently under construction: RAPP-8 (1 × 700 MW) in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan; KKNPP-3&4 (2 × 1000 MW) and KKNPP-5&6 (2 × 1000 MW) in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu; KAIGA-5&6 (2 × 700 MW) in Kaiga, Karnataka; and GHAVP-1&2 (2 × 700 MW) in Gorakhpur, Haryana.
The government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for ten indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and two additional units totaling 8,800 MW capacity: Kaiga-5&6 (2 × 700 MW) in Karnataka; GHAVP-3&4 (2 × 700 MW) in Haryana; Chutka-1&2 (2 × 700 MW) in Madhya Pradesh; Mahi Banswara-1&2 (2 × 700 MW) and Mahi Banswara-3&4 (2 × 700 MW) in Rajasthan; and KKNPP-5&6 (2 × 1000 MW) in Tamil Nadu. The Mahi Banswara projects are being implemented by ASHVINI, a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC, while the Kudankulam projects involve cooperation with the Russian Federation.
On the research and development front, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is designing and developing three Small Modular Reactors: the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), the 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and up to 5MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor for hydrogen generation. The 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor commissioned by BHAVINI at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu uses indigenous technology, and the government has approved pre-project activities for two additional 500 MW FBR units using the same design.