Nuclear power generation in the country has kept pace with the overall generation of electricity in the country, and thus has consistently remained at about 3%. The nuclear share in total electricity generation in the country in 2024-25 was about 3.1%.

The main reason for slow expansion of nuclear power capacity in the early days was the technology development phase that had to be gone through in an international embargo and technology denial regime, coupled with limited availability of resources. Therefore, although India operates the sixth largest nuclear reactor fleet in the world, the present installed capacity of nuclear power is 8.78 GW (excluding RAPS-1, 100 MW). Now indigenous PHWR technology has matured for larger size reactor, i.e 700 MW. With the deployment of indigenous 700 MW reactors and 1000 MW reactors with international cooperation, the present capacity will increase to 22.38 GW (excluding RAPS-1, 100 MW) by 2031-32 on progressive completion of projects at various stages of implementation. Further, the Government has also announced the Nuclear Energy Mission of reaching 100 GW by 2047.

As per the current policy, foreign direct investment (FDI) in atomic energy is prohibited. Government is proposing to amend Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to allow private sector participation in atomic energy.

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NKR/AK