Singapore and India to Explore Cooperation on Small Modular Reactors

On August 20, the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable was held in Singapore. After reviewing progress in the six existing areas of cooperation, both sides proposed to further explore cooperation in new areas such as space and nuclear technology. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, who led the Singapore delegation, said after the meeting that Singapore and India are satisfied with the good progress of cooperation in the six areas of sustainable development, digitalization, skills development, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity. Among the new areas of cooperation, nuclear technology became one of the topics discussed by both sides, with a focus on...

2026-08-21

India and Germany's Hesse Explore Clean Energy Cooperation, with Discussions Covering Laser-Based Nuclear Fusion Research

On August 19, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held talks with Boris Rhein, Minister-President of the German state of Hesse, to discuss strengthening economic and technological cooperation between India and Hesse. Manfred Pentz, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Deregulation, along with a German business delegation, attended the meeting. The talks covered several emerging and high-growth sectors, with energy-related discussions focusing on clean energy and future technologies. The two sides discussed Hesse's initiatives in next-generation energy technologies, including laser-based...

2026-08-20

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 2 Achieves First Full Year of Continuous Operation

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 2 (RAPS-2) achieved one full year of continuous operation on August 15, 2026. This marks the first time the unit has completed a full year of uninterrupted operation since it was commissioned, coinciding with India's 80th Independence Day. RAPS-2 is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and is one of the oldest pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) units still in operation by the company. This milestone of one full year of continuous operation is regarded as a significant reflection of the unit's operational management and equipment maintenance standards. Relevant information indicates that this operational record reflects the sustained commitment of Units 1 and 2 at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in safety culture, aging management, technical support, and operational organization, and also demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the on-site operations, maintenance, engineering, and support teams in ensuring stable unit operation.

2026-08-19

Indian research team uses supercomputer to track microscopic mechanisms of turbulence in dusty plasmas

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT Jammu), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), used supercomputer simulations to study the origin of chaos in dusty plasmas. By tracking the motion of millions of individual particles, the study revealed how turbulent energy is transferred from large-scale vortices to microscopic thermal motion of particles, providing a new computational perspective for nuclear fusion plasma research and astrophysical process analysis. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter. Unlike solids, liquids, and gases, atoms in plasma are ionized, forming a system composed of positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons. When tiny solid dust particles enter the plasma, these particles absorb electrons and become negatively charged, subsequently undergoing complex interactions with surrounding particles to form dusty plasma.

2026-08-19

India Unveils Nuclear Energy Self-Reliance Roadmap, Targeting 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047

India's Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, recently stated in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that India is accelerating the development of its domestic nuclear energy ecosystem, with key focus areas including advanced reactor technologies, small modular reactors, domestic manufacturing capabilities, private sector participation, and the long-term development and utilization of thorium resources. Singh stated that India's long-term nuclear energy strategy remains based on its three-stage nuclear power program, aiming to gradually utilize the country's relatively abundant thorium resources while ensuring long-term energy security. India proposed a Nuclear Energy Mission in its 2025-2026 federal budget, planning to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047...

2026-08-17

India Releases Detailed Project Report for 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor

The release of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for India's 300 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-300) marks a new milestone in India's indigenous small modular reactor program. The report was released on August 14, 2026, and was jointly prepared by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The project falls under the indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program advanced by India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), positioned as a complement to India's existing large-scale nuclear power construction projects and offering captive nuclear power solutions. According to the released information, the BSMR-300 is designed as a fully indigenously developed Generation III+ pressurized water reactor with an installed capacity of 300 MWe. The project continues...

2026-08-17

First Concrete Pour Initiated for ECCS Sump of Units 1 & 2 at Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, India

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) announced on August 14 that the first concrete pour was initiated on the same day for the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) sump of Nuclear Building-01 (NB-01) of Units 1 & 2 at the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) — the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a phased milestone in the project's construction. Units 1 & 2 of the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant are located in Gorakhpur Village, Fatehabad District, Haryana State, India, with two 700 MWe units planned, totaling 1,400 MWe in installed capacity. The pouring operation was carried out after addressing geotechnical and foundation-related challenges, pile foundation qualification, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

2026-08-17

Adani Group in Talks with Odisha on Nuclear Power Projects, Plans Two 3,000 MW Clean Energy Facilities

India's Adani Group is accelerating its industrial footprint in Odisha, with nuclear power, clean energy, mining, aluminum, and port infrastructure emerging as key priorities in recent discussions. Senior executives of the group recently held talks with Odisha government officials to discuss advancing a range of energy and industrial projects in the state, including two proposed 3,000 MW power generation facilities and an integrated coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals project with an investment of approximately INR 800 billion. Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd...

2026-08-17

India Releases Draft Rules Accompanying SHANTI Act, Requiring Nuclear Power Operators to Provide Nuclear Damage Insurance or Financial Guarantees

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) of India recently released the draft SHANTI Rules 2026 and the draft SHANTI Regulations 2026 for public consultation. The two documents set out provisions on nuclear project licensing, safety authorization, and nuclear damage liability, aiming to provide an institutional framework for India's expansion of nuclear power capacity and the introduction of more market players into nuclear energy development. Under the drafts, operators of nuclear power plants or reactors must purchase insurance, provide financial guarantees, or adopt both approaches for nuclear damage. Such financial security must remain in effect until all spent fuel has been removed from the corresponding storage pools. The drafts also propose the establishment of a nuclear liability fund, with funding sources linked to the civil liability limits borne by operators...

2026-08-17

Red Fort Address: Modi Reaffirms "Developed India" Vision for 2047, Sets 100 GW Nuclear Power Target

On August 15, India celebrated its 80th Independence Day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. The core message centered on the national vision of building a developed India by 2047. He called on citizens to move beyond small-target thinking and embrace greater developmental ambitions, emphasizing that unwavering resolve could chart a path forward for the nation amid complex circumstances. This statement continues India's recent political narrative of using the 100th anniversary of independence as a long-term development milestone. In his address, Modi highlighted India's economic and industrial transformations over the past 12 years. He noted that India, once regarded as one of the fragile five economies, has now become one of the fastest-growing major economies globally...

2026-08-15

India Proposes Strict Approval System for Private Nuclear Power Projects

On August 14, India proposed a strict regulatory approval system for private nuclear power projects, aiming to create conditions for foreign reactor technologies with proven operating records to enter the Indian market while maintaining access and operational controls. Under the draft rules, companies could obtain in-principle approval before securing formal licenses, allowing them to hire suppliers, conduct preliminary development work, and acquire project land. Once projects enter the licensing phase, they would undergo phased regulatory reviews covering design, siting, construction, commissioning, and operation. The draft also seeks to grant regulators stronger oversight powers, including the authority to halt work at critical project stages. For a long time,...

2026-08-15

Indian Government Approves INR 133.55 Billion Equity Funding for 6 Nuclear Power Projects Under Construction

To advance nuclear power construction and meet growing electricity demand, the Indian central government has approved equity funding of INR 133.55 billion (approximately RMB 13.355 billion) for six nuclear power projects under construction, with all funds fully disbursed. This information was disclosed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Atomic Energy, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Singh noted that multiple technical, supply chain, and global situation factors have caused project delays: significant design modifications required under new safety standards following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan; delays in supply of critical equipment; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction progress. In addition, disrupted equipment supplies from Russia, financial difficulties faced by contractors after the pandemic, complex geological conditions, and a shortage of skilled workers have also slowed project momentum. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have further affected supply chains.

2026-08-14

India plans to build at least five domestically designed small modular reactors by 2033, and reports on nuclear power plant safety assessments

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on August 12, Jitendra Singh, India's Minister of State for Atomic Energy, stated that a key objective of the Indian government under its nuclear energy mission is to develop and operationalize at least five domestically designed small modular reactors by 2033. According to the briefing, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is advancing the design and development of indigenous small modular reactor (SMR) technology, with projects including the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and the 55 MWe SMR-55 for power generation. BARC is also developing a High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) with a capacity of up to 5 MW, which can be coupled with suitable thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production. Singh stated that India...

2026-08-13

India's Bihar signs memorandum of understanding for $2.3 billion small modular reactor project

The government of Bihar, India recently signed investment memorandums of understanding totaling approximately $6 billion (about €5.2 billion) with several industrial enterprises, covering sectors such as steel, textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear energy. Among these, the nuclear energy project investment amounts to approximately $2.3 billion, making it the largest investment proposal among the signed agreements. According to a statement issued by the office of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Global Renewable Advanced Clean Energy, a recently registered company headquartered in Hyderabad in central India, signed the nuclear energy memorandum of understanding. Further details...

2026-08-12

India's Nuclear Power Expansion Drives Up Uranium Demand, Annual Demand Could Reach 5,400 Tonnes

India is accelerating its nuclear energy development program, with uranium resource demand rising correspondingly. According to estimates by the Indian Parliament's Committee on Public Undertakings in its follow-up report on NPCIL performance rectification, India will require approximately 5,400 tonnes of uranium annually in the future as nuclear power projects expand. This figure reflects the urgency of India's energy structure adjustment and indicates the rising status of nuclear power in its long-term electricity planning. Currently, domestic uranium production in India can only meet about 30% of demand, with the remainder relying on imports, primarily from countries including Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Canada. The Parliamentary Committee therefore emphasized...

2026-08-10

India's cumulative nuclear power generation surpasses 1 trillion units (1000 BU), NPCIL sets historic milestone

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) announced on August 4 that cumulative nuclear power generation since the start of commercial operations has exceeded 100 billion kilowatt-hours (1000 Billion Units, equivalent to 1 trillion kWh) for the first time. The company stated that this milestone marks a significant achievement on India's path toward clean and sustainable energy, corresponding to avoiding approximately 860 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to approximately taking 187 million gasoline and diesel passenger vehicles off the road for a full year, or nearly the total annual greenhouse gas emissions of a single industrialized nation such as Germany or Japan. NPCIL data shows that electricity generated through nuclear power has effectively avoided substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is recognized as one of the low-carbon and reliable energy sources, playing a critical role in addressing climate change...

2026-08-05

IIT Hyderabad launches nuclear technology training programme

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), in collaboration with Pune-based technology company Crimson Energy Experts Pvt. Ltd. (CEEPL), has launched a three-month full-time residential training programme to train engineers and industry professionals for India's expanding civil nuclear energy sector. The programme, named Anugyan-Nuclear Technology Orientation Programme (NTOP), is described as India's first industry-academia collaborative initiative dedicated specifically to engineering talent development in the nuclear energy sector, with a focus on bridging the gap between academic curricula and nuclear industry engineering practice.

2026-08-04

NPCIL launches engineering design tender for 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has issued a tender notice inviting bids for plant engineering design and 3D modeling services for its 220 MWe-class Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) project. The reactor design is based on India's existing 220 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology, with a bid submission deadline of August 10. The scope of this tender covers general design and engineering services for civil, process, mechanical, piping, electrical, control and instrumentation systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, pipe stress analysis, and 3D computer modeling. NPCIL aims to select a supplier capable of delivering an integrated engineering solution and providing support for subsequent detailed design verification, construction and commissioning documentation. The project requires suppliers to prioritize quality assurance and comply with relevant regulatory and technical standards.

2026-08-04

Behind India's Nuclear Power Expansion: Where Does Radioactive Waste Go? Government Details Management Process in Parliament for First Time

India is rapidly advancing its nuclear power expansion, but the safe disposal of radioactive waste is the least-publicized challenge. The government has for the first time detailed in Parliament how it handles hazardous waste. In a written reply, the Department of Atomic Energy disclosed that all nuclear power plants in India generate an average of 0.15 cubic meters (approximately 150 liters) of solid radioactive waste per megawatt (MW) of capacity annually, including waste from operational and decommissioning phases, equivalent to about 1.5 household bathtubs in volume; radioactive waste quantities and disposal records are regularly reported to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants generate various types of radioactive waste, including spent filter cartridges, protective clothing, tools, equipment, and other items that come into contact with radioactive materials. Waste is categorized into gaseous...

2026-08-03

India's First Draft Rules for SHANTI Nuclear Energy Act Prepared, in Consultation with Ministries and Industry

The Indian government is formulating implementation rules for the SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harmonious Advancement of Nuclear Technology in India Act), aimed at fundamentally transforming the country's nuclear energy sector. The Act is expected to open up the previously tightly controlled nuclear industry to private companies. Relevant departments have already sought comments on these draft rules, but final publication may still take several months, as issues involving multiple agencies require careful consideration. The SHANTI Act is crucial for India's goal of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047. It will bring about significant structural changes to India's nuclear energy policy, integrating regulation, implementation processes, civil liability, and dispute resolution mechanisms...

2026-08-03

Adani Group Proposes Two Nuclear Power Plants in India's Odisha State

The Adani Group has submitted a proposal to the Government of Odisha to build two nuclear power plants in the state, with a planned total installed capacity of 5,600 MW and an estimated investment of approximately ₹1.5 trillion. The proposal is seen as a significant move to expand private sector participation in India's civil nuclear energy sector. According to disclosures, Subrat Tripathy, President of Business Development at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, led a delegation to meet Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo in Bhubaneswar...

2026-08-03