India's Plan to Develop Five Indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033

Key Facts

• India plans to develop and operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.
• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing three SMR types: the 220-MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor, the 55-MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and a High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) with a capacity up to 5 MW thermal.
• SMRs generally have lower power output than traditional large reactors and feature modular, factory-based construction allowing for phased deployment.
• The Bharat SMR and SMR-55 employ Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology, where ordinary water under high pressure acts as both coolant and moderator, a commonly used technology in commercial nuclear plants.
• The Bharat SMR and SMR-55 are slated for development at Tarapur, Maharashtra—a historically significant nuclear power site in India.
• The HTGR is planned for Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This reactor is designed primarily as a nuclear heat source and is intended to integrate with thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production.
• The Small Modular Reactor and Hydrogen Initiative for Nuclear Technology Act, 2025, opens the nuclear energy sector to private sector participation, encouraging investment, technology development, and industrial collaboration.
• India’s Nuclear Energy Mission targets 100 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2047, with an intermediate goal of around 22 GW by 2031-32.
• The government has allocated approximately USD 2 billion towards the development of indigenous SMRs by 2033.

Background & Context

• Small Modular Reactors are compact nuclear reactors with smaller power outputs compared to conventional reactors that enable factory fabrication and modular deployment.
• Tarapur has been an important nuclear power location for India, hosting nuclear facilities for several decades.
• High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors are suited for process heat applications, including hydrogen production through thermochemical cycles, supporting clean fuel initiatives.
• The development of indigenous SMRs forms part of the broader Nuclear Energy Mission that addresses energy security, sustainable growth, and integration of new technologies.
• The Act of 2025 promotes policy frameworks for private sector involvement in nuclear projects, fostering innovation and industrial growth aligned with nuclear energy expansion.

Why This Matters for Exams

• India’s push for indigenous SMRs signifies a milestone in nuclear technology development and self-reliance efforts.
• Understanding reactor types (Bharat SMR, SMR-55, HTGR) and their deployment locations (Tarapur, Visakhapatnam) is important for current affairs and science & technology topics.
• Knowledge of policy measures such as the 2025 Small Modular Reactor and Hydrogen Initiative Act is relevant for governance and economic development sections.
• Targets for installed capacity (22 GW by 2031-32 and 100 GW by 2047) appear frequently in competitive exam questions.
• The integration of hydrogen technology with nuclear energy reflects India’s strategy toward clean energy and environmental sustainability, relevant for environmental studies and energy sectors.

Points to Remember

• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is the lead organization designing India's indigenous SMRs.
• SMRs aim for modular construction with lower power output than conventional nuclear reactors.
• Pressurised Water Reactors use water under high pressure as coolant and moderator and are widely used in commercial nuclear power generation.
• Tarapur, Maharashtra, and Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, are the primary planned locations for deployment of these reactors.
• The HTGR will support nuclear-based hydrogen production through thermochemical cycles.
• The Small Modular Reactor and Hydrogen Initiative for Nuclear Technology Act, 2025, facilitates private participation in the nuclear energy sector.
• India’s nuclear energy capacity goals include achieving around 22 GW by 2031-32 and 100 GW by 2047.
• Approximate funding allocated for this SMR program is USD 2 billion by 2033.