Government outlines phased roadmap to scale capacity from 8.78 GW today to 22 GW by 2032 and beyond through public, private and joint-venture projects.
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, February 11, 2026: India is preparing for a major expansion of its nuclear energy sector, with the Centre unveiling a long-term roadmap to increase installed nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as part of its Nuclear Energy Mission. The plan was outlined in Parliament by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply.
At present, the country operates 24 commercial nuclear power reactors, excluding Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit-1, with a combined installed capacity of 8,780 megawatts. According to the government’s roadmap, this capacity is projected to rise significantly over the next decade as several projects currently under construction or at advanced planning stages are completed. By 2031–32, India’s nuclear generation capacity is expected to reach approximately 22 GW through the progressive commissioning of these plants.
Beyond 2032, an additional 32 GW of nuclear capacity is planned to be developed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). These projects will include a mix of indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and Light Water Reactors. Once these are operational, the country’s total nuclear capacity would rise to nearly 54 GW. The remaining 46 GW required to meet the 2047 target is expected to be added through projects undertaken by other public sector enterprises, state governments, private companies, and joint-venture partnerships operating under diverse business models and reactor technologies.
The government is also pushing ahead with advanced reactor development. BHAVINI is currently in the process of commissioning a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. Approval has already been granted for pre-project activities related to two additional 500 MWe Fast Breeder Reactors at the same site. Once the prototype reactor achieves first criticality, the government will be approached for financial sanction to proceed with these twin units.
Parallel research is underway on next-generation nuclear technologies. The Department of Atomic Energy is developing a small demonstration molten salt reactor designed to showcase advanced systems for efficient utilisation of thorium, a resource in which India holds substantial reserves. Work is in progress on specialised materials, molten fluoride salt chemistry, and component design required for this technology. A commercial-scale version is planned once the demonstration reactor operates successfully.
In addition to power generation initiatives, the government is strengthening nuclear research infrastructure. A dedicated nuclear research and development centre is being established in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to support innovation, technology advancement and future reactor design capabilities.
Officials indicated that the long-term expansion strategy is aligned with India’s goals of ensuring energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and achieving climate commitments through low-carbon power generation. The planned scale-up is also expected to create new opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, research and skilled employment linked to the nuclear energy ecosystem.
The government emphasised that the phased approach—combining indigenous technology, international collaboration and private participation—will help India steadily build one of the world’s largest nuclear power capacities over the next two decades while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance and technological self-reliance.
