India - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
India has 24 operable reactors with a total capacity of 8780 MWe (gross). Eight reactors, with a capacity of 6600 MWe, are under construction, including a 500 MWe indigenous fast neutron reactor, which achieved first criticality in April 2026.
Rajasthan 7, a 630 MWe (net) pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), was the latest reactor to be connected to the grid, in March 2025. Construction started on the Kaiga 5&6 units of the same design in March 2026.
Table In.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 7935 | 8780 | 6 | 5200 | 820 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
India has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Contributing to this goal, in early 2025 the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat was announced, with the aim to reach 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity in the country by the centenary year of the country's independence (i.e. 2047). In advance of its 100 GWe target, India aims to nearly triple its nuclear capacity to around 22.5 GWe by 2032.
In December 2025 the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill was granted presidential assent. The SHANTI Act restricts nuclear supplier liability to contracted terms, aligning the country with international norms to encourage private investment.
In February 2025 the state-run power company NTPC announced plans to construct 30 GWe of nuclear generation capacity, requiring a $62 billion investment, over the next two decades. Jindal Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of the private company Naveen Jindal Group, has plans to deploy up to 18 GWe of nuclear capacity.
In addition to reactors currently under construction and in preparation, the government has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for an additional 32 GWe of capacity, in cooperation with vendors from France, USA and Russia, as well as further indigenous PHWRs.
In the July 2024 Budget speech, India’s Finance Minister announced government partnerships with the private sector to deploy Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) and support research and development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs). Financial support of Rs20,000 crore (USD2.5 billion), was committed. Subsequent announcements identified BSRs as reactors based on indigenous 220 MWe PHWR technology. The first two lead units of a 55 MWe variant of the BSR would be built at a Department of Atomic Energy site by 2033. The country's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is also developing a 5 MWt high temperature gas cooled reactor for hydrogen production.
In July 2026, the Department of Atomic Energy told the Indian Parliament that the Nuclear Energy Mission roadmap to 100 GWe objective comprises about 54 GWe from state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and 46 GWe from other public/private/JV developers.
Table In.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7600 | 860 | 6600 | 8275 | 18,000 | 4000 | 100,000 by 2047 | 57,345 | 102,680 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
India has an established domestic reactor fleet, an experienced regulator and operator, an indigenous supply chain, and a clear long-term government commitment to substantial nuclear expansion. Unlike many countries pursuing ambitious nuclear targets, India is already delivering projects and has multiple reactors under construction.
It is advancing imported large reactors, fast reactors and SMRs, although progress in these areas has been slower than originally envisaged.
The principal challenge is whether deployment can accelerate sufficiently to meet national ambitions. Delivery rates will need to increase substantially to achieve the target of 100 GWe by 2047.
| Country Category | Expander |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate-High The 100 GWe target is backed by the Nuclear Energy Mission, an explicit government roadmap, major legislative reform and financial support for SMRs. Nuclear expansion is a strategic national energy objective. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate-High India has more than five decades of reactor operation, an experienced regulator, owner/operator, research organizations, fuel cycle institutions and a large domestic supply chain. The SHANTI Act further strengthens the regulator's statutory position and enables private participation in the nuclear power sector. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Moderate-High India has a large active construction and planned pipeline, serial 700 MWe PHWR deployment and new FBR/SMR projects. However, much of the capacity required after the early 2030s is not yet represented by mature projects. |
| Target Achievability | Low Achieving 22 GWe by around 2032 is challenging. Reaching 100 GWe by 2047 requires an unprecedented increase in annual deployment and depends on private investment and large new project programmes that are still being established. |
