Fast-tracking small modular reactors in India

Time of India

4 days ago

The value of nuclear energy in meeting rapidly growing energy demand with requisite reliability and resilience, while also achieving a low-carbon energy ecosystem is receiving increasing recognition worldwide. This is also echoed in India's recent policy pronouncements.
The country has set a target to increase its nuclear capacity from 8.8 GW at present to 22 GW by 2031 and 100 GW by 2047, which includes both large reactors, and small modular reactors (SMR).
SMRs, typically producing up to 300 MW, are relatively new entrants to the nuclear family but are fast gaining traction globally by virtue of their compact size, factory-built modularity, and enhanced safety features.
Typically, these are finding application for meeting concentrated base-load requirements in cities, decarbonisation of heavy industries like steel and aluminum, remote areas, captive power, and urban micro-grids with requisite reliability and power quality, reverse osmosis of seawater, and hydrogen production. Indian Railways has also shown interest in nuclear power for railway network operation.
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) envisions SMRs as 'crucial to India's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions, aligning with its broader Viksit Bharat vision'.
While technological developments taking place in this field are quite encouraging, it is also important to ensure an enabling policy and regulatory framework. This would call for changes in the existing regulatory framework, which is designed for large reactors, considering the distinct design features of SMRs like size, safety features, etc.
Global scenario
Globally, the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is gaining momentum, with over 80 designs at various stages of advancement across 18 countries. Of these, 19 designs have reached advanced stages of deployment as of June 2025, led by countries such as Russia, China, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Russia and China have already operationalized SMRs, including land-based and floating units, particularly in remote and geographically challenging regions, some of which are with private sector participation.
Recognizing the distinctive design features of SMRs, several countries, namely the United States, Canada, Russia, and others, are refining their policy and regulatory frameworks to accelerate the deployment of these technologies. For example, in the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established a dedicated regulatory pathway for these reactors. Complementary initiatives, such as the proposed Advanced Nuclear Reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement (ANR GEIS) and the finalised Emergency Preparedness Requirements for SMRs, also support this process.
Canada has outlined a comprehensive SMR roadmap, combining regulatory alignment with targeted funding to support early deployment. Similarly, the United Kingdom has adapted its Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process to accommodate SMRs, introducing a stepwise, flexible framework that enables earlier feedback and improved alignment with international standards.
Policy and Regulatory landscape in India
India's nuclear energy sector presently operates under a highly centralized regulatory and policy framework, primarily governed by the
Atomic Energy Act of 1962
. This legislation vests exclusive authority in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for all nuclear development, with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) being the sole entity authorised to construct and operate nuclear power plants for electricity generation.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) meticulously enforces safety and licensing norms, encompassing stringent siting criteria that mandate extensive exclusion and emergency planning zones, a multi-stage licensing process, mandatory environmental clearances, and strict radiation protection and waste management rules, consistent with IAEA guidelines and the
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010
.
The existing landscape presents several challenges for the deployment of SMRs and private sector participation. These include relatively long gestation periods for regulatory approvals, high upfront capital investments required, site constraints for conforming to the prevailing emergency zone limits in potential application areas, liability provisions under CLNDA, lack of clarity on foreign investment limits, and return on investments.
Key action areas
From the foregoing, it is apparent that there is an urgent need for a development track that fosters innovation, modular rollout, and broader engagement across India's nuclear ecosystem. This should identify strategic applications such as industrial clusters, off-grid regions, and urban areas, while updating siting norms, safety codes, and grid integration criteria to reflect the unique characteristics of SMRs.
Some of the other key areas to focus on would include recognising nuclear power as green energy, defining long-term bankable power purchase agreements, developing instruments for insurance, expediting regulatory clearances by standardizing of licensing procedures, leveraging strategic partnerships with countries to bring in proven nuclear technologies and best practices, continuing R&D for improving fuel usage and safety of reactors, developing 100 percent indigenous supply chain, increasing public awareness on safety aspects, training of personnel, etc. The framework should also align with broader goals of energy security and the country's net-zero commitments.
With the right push - through policy, regulatory reforms, and public-private collaboration, SMRs can become a key pillar of India's clean energy strategy, supporting net-zero ambitions and national energy resilience. The political will and initiatives taken by the government to amend the legislation and engage with private players augur well for this. The need of the hour is a time-bound action plan.
- K Ramanathan, Distinguished Fellow; Dr Arunendra Kumar Tiwari, Associate Fellow; and Ishita Bhar, Research Associate, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)