India is pursuing an ambitious nuclear expansion that will require approximately $200 billion in investment and the construction of five domestically built small modular reactors by 2033. The country aims to increase its installed nuclear power capacity from 8.78 gigawatts today to 100 gigawatts by 2047, according to India's Atomic Energy Minister Jitendra Singh.

This expansion represents a fundamental shift in how India approaches nuclear energy development. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India's premier nuclear research facility under the Department of Atomic Energy, is currently developing three reactor designs to support this growth. These projects signal India's intent to diversify its nuclear portfolio and accelerate deployment timelines significantly.

Why Is India Investing So Heavily in Nuclear Power Right Now?

The financial commitment is substantial. India's power ministry estimates that reaching the 100-gigawatt target by 2047 will require approximately 19.28 trillion Indian rupees, equivalent to roughly $200 billion at current exchange rates, according to a roadmap report released last year. This investment reflects India's recognition that conventional energy sources alone cannot support the country's rapid industrialization and growing electricity demand.

A major catalyst for this expansion is regulatory change. At the end of 2025, India's government approved a landmark piece of legislation that opens the nuclear sector to private investment for the first time. The Atomic Energy Bill, also known as the SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), removes barriers that previously restricted nuclear development to state-owned entities. This regulatory shift could unlock substantial private capital for nuclear projects across the country.

"India expects to build domestically five small modular reactors by 2033," stated Jitendra Singh, India's Atomic Energy Minister.

Jitendra Singh, Atomic Energy Minister of India

What Reactor Designs Is India Developing?

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is developing multiple reactor designs to meet different energy needs across India's industrial landscape. These designs reflect a strategic approach to nuclear deployment that balances capacity, flexibility, and technological innovation.

• Bharat Small Modular Reactor: A 220-megawatt reactor that represents India's flagship SMR design and will serve as a primary component of the country's nuclear expansion strategy.
• Compact modular reactor: A 55-megawatt reactor designed for smaller-scale applications and distributed energy needs across different regions of India.
• High-temperature gas-cooled reactor: A specialized reactor designed to produce hydrogen, supporting India's broader energy transition and industrial decarbonization goals.

How Will India's Nuclear Expansion Unfold Over the Next Two Decades?

• Near-term capacity targets: India aims to boost installed nuclear capacity from its current 8.78 gigawatts to approximately 22 gigawatts by the 2031-32 fiscal year, representing a significant acceleration in deployment timelines and demonstrating the urgency of India's energy strategy.
• Private sector participation: The newly approved SHANTI Act enables private companies to invest in nuclear energy for the first time, potentially attracting billions in capital from domestic and international investors seeking to participate in India's nuclear energy transition.
• State utility leadership: NTPC Ltd, India's largest utility company and currently the only nuclear power generator in the country, is expected to account for 30 percent of all new nuclear capacity installations by 2047, positioning it as the primary driver of expansion.
• Global fuel security strategy: NTPC is actively acquiring stakes in uranium assets worldwide to secure fuel supplies for the anticipated massive expansion of India's nuclear fleet, ensuring long-term operational sustainability and reducing dependence on uranium imports.

The role of state-owned NTPC Ltd deserves particular attention in understanding how this expansion will be executed. As India's biggest utility company and the sole nuclear power generator today, NTPC is expected to account for 30 percent of new nuclear installations by 2047. Beyond domestic construction, NTPC is pursuing a global strategy to secure uranium supplies by acquiring stakes in uranium assets worldwide, recognizing that fuel security will be critical to sustaining the expanded reactor fleet.

Small modular reactors offer distinct advantages for India's expansion strategy. Unlike traditional large reactors that require massive upfront capital and centralized locations, SMRs can be deployed in distributed locations across the country. The three reactor designs under development by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, ranging from 55 megawatts to 220 megawatts, offer flexibility in how India can distribute nuclear power across its geography and industrial sectors. This flexibility is particularly valuable for a country with India's diverse geography and varying regional energy demands.

India's nuclear expansion also reflects a broader global recognition that meeting future electricity demand requires diversified energy portfolios. By committing $200 billion to nuclear infrastructure and opening the sector to private investment, India is positioning itself as a major player in the emerging market for advanced reactor technologies and nuclear supply chains. The timeline is ambitious but achievable, with the country targeting five SMRs by 2033 and a tenfold increase in total nuclear capacity within two decades.