India’s Nuclear Turnaround: Chasing the 100 GW Nuclear Power Goal by 2047
India’s nuclear power sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by a series of recent developments that signal a clear strategic intent to scale up capacity and meet the ambitious target of 100 GW by 2047. From policy reforms that aim to modernize outdated legislation, to the entry of major private sector players and intensified international collaborations, the nuclear market is witnessing renewed momentum. These shifts are not isolated announcements but interconnected moves reshaping the operational, regulatory, and investment framework of India's nuclear ecosystem. At the heart of this transition is the government’s commitment to position nuclear energy as a central pillar of India's long-term energy strategy—providing reliable, low-carbon baseload power to support its growing economy and climate goals. This article explores the most recent and significant changes that are defining India’s pathway toward a nuclear-powered future.
Policy Evolution: Laying the Legislative Foundation
India’s nuclear sector is witnessing a legislative shift of historic proportions. In line with the Budget 2025-26 announcement, the government has taken concrete steps to reform two cornerstone laws: the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) of 2010. High-level committees comprising experts from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Law and Justice have been formed to draft the amendments.
The proposed reforms are aimed at addressing long-standing structural constraints that have limited the sector's growth. The Atomic Energy Act currently centralizes the construction and operation of nuclear plants under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), effectively barring private players. Meanwhile, Section 17(b) of the CLNDA imposes supplier liability beyond global norms—discouraging foreign vendors since the Act's inception in 2010.
Expected to be finalized by mid-2025, the amendments seek to limit supplier liability in line with international practices under the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) and to permit private sector participation in reactor projects—albeit under NPCIL supervision. These changes are not only timely but critical. Nuclear power today accounts for just 3% of India’s electricity generation. To reach the 100 GW target, India must add at least 4 GW annually, demanding both regulatory clarity and private capital.
A notable highlight in Budget 2025-26 is the allocation of Rs.20,000 crore ($2.4 billion) toward Small Modular Reactor (SMR) research and development, with a target of five indigenous units operational by 2033. These policy shifts are already reshaping the investment landscape. NTPC has floated tenders for 15 GW of nuclear capacity, inviting both domestic and foreign firms to bid—marking a decisive pivot toward private sector-led nuclear expansion.
International Collaboration: Forging a Global Nuclear Network
Alongside domestic reforms, India is proactively engaging international partners to fuel its nuclear ambitions. The past month has seen renewed momentum with the United States, France, Russia, and new collaborators like the United Arab Emirates.
On March 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy granted Holtec International approval to transfer SMR technology to India. This move is closely linked to the Kovvada project in Andhra Pradesh (6 x 1,208 MW) and follows the January 2025 removal of Indian entities like BARC and IGCAR from the U.S. Entity List—an outcome of diplomatic progress following Prime Minister Modi’s discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
France has also moved forward in its nuclear cooperation with India. After a letter of intent was signed in February for cooperation on SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), negotiations for the long-delayed Jaitapur project (6 x EPRs, 9.6 GW) have resumed. French utility EDF is offering technical training in EPR operations, indicating strong long-term collaboration.
Russia continues to be India’s most entrenched nuclear partner, with four VVER-1000 units under construction at Kudankulam. The Indo-Russian partnership also holds potential spillover into other regions—Indian suppliers, with Rosatom’s support, may gain a foothold in Türkiye’s Akkuyu nuclear project.
In a significant development, NPCIL has reportedly reached an agreement with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) of the UAE for cooperation in operations, maintenance, and investment. Although awaiting formal announcement, this move aligns with India’s broader strategy to diversify fuel sources and enhance its operational capabilities abroad.
Together, these international engagements strengthen India’s position as a global hub for nuclear technology transfer, capacity building, and market-driven reactor deployment.
Private Sector Surge: Unlocking Capital, Scale, and Technological Depth
One of the most transformative developments in India’s nuclear journey is the strategic entry of its private sector giants. Recognizing the sector’s long-term value and the maturing regulatory framework, industrial conglomerates are committing billions in nuclear infrastructure, signaling confidence and readiness to lead.
Jindal Nuclear Power Private Ltd, a subsidiary of Jindal Renewables, has made one of the most aggressive bets on nuclear energy, announcing a roadmap to develop 18 GWe of capacity over the next two decades, backed by an investment of $21 billion. The company’s approach integrates a mix of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), SMRs, and Gen-IV reactor technologies, ensuring scalability and long-term viability. Jindal’s entry signals that nuclear energy is now viewed not as a government-controlled sector but as an investment-grade asset with a strong return profile.
Tata Power, a veteran in India’s energy sector, is strategically realigning its portfolio to include nuclear energy as part of its clean energy transition. The company’s decision to divest $1 billion worth of non-core international assets to reinvest in nuclear and renewables underscores a broader shift toward long-term energy security and financial stability. Tata’s presence in nuclear energy is likely to accelerate industry-wide adoption, given its reputation for pioneering large-scale infrastructure projects.
Vedanta Group, under the leadership of Anil Agarwal, has taken concrete steps by issuing expressions of interest (EoIs) to develop 5,000 MWe of nuclear capacity. Unlike other players taking an incremental approach, Vedanta is aggressively seeking a globally recognized nuclear reactor developer to execute a turnkey project, ensuring operational efficiency and rapid market entry. This move highlights the growing confidence among industrial leaders that nuclear power is not just viable but essential for sustaining long-term industrial growth.
Reliance Industries, India’s most influential corporate powerhouse, has committed to investments worth of $5.7 billion in Assam over the next five years, with a strategic focus on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. Given its scale, Reliance’s entry into nuclear power is expected to drive commercialization, supply chain integration, and cost efficiency across the sector. The company’s presence could reshape market dynamics, making nuclear energy more accessible and commercially attractive to other private-sector players.
Adani Group, the country’s largest private thermal power producer, is making a decisive pivot toward nuclear energy. Chairman Gautam Adani’s recent visit to the Tarapur Maharashtra Site (TMS) signals a serious commitment to understanding nuclear operations and integrating nuclear power into Adani’s broader energy strategy. With plans to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity, the company is positioning itself as a key player not only in India’s nuclear buildout but also in the global nuclear supply chain, leveraging international technology collaborations to optimize its energy portfolio.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a long-standing leader in nuclear infrastructure and high-precision engineering, is expanding its role as a critical supplier in both the domestic and international nuclear markets. As demand for reactor components, manufacturing expertise, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) services grows, L&T’s deep expertise in nuclear technology makes it a key enabler of India’s nuclear industrialization
A Defining Moment for India’s Nuclear Power Trajectory
In short, the evolving Indian nuclear market is no longer operating on legacy frameworks or incremental growth. It is now positioned at the forefront of a bold, future-oriented push to install 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. The policy shifts underway—particularly the planned amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the CLNDA—are laying the legal groundwork to attract private capital and international technology. Simultaneously, strategic partnerships with global nuclear leaders and the aggressive entry of domestic conglomerates are expanding the sector’s operational capabilities and technological base.
A key opportunity for businesses looking to enter this space will be the India Nuclear Business Platform (INBP) 2025—a premier industry event designed to bring together policymakers, global stakeholders, and business leaders. Participation at INBP 2025 will offer companies vital access to strategic networking, investment insights, and collaboration prospects, effectively positioning them at the forefront of India’s nuclear expansion.
Altogether, these converging developments signal a critical inflection point. India is not just scaling up its nuclear power output—it is reengineering the very architecture of its nuclear sector. If the current pace of reform, investment, and collaboration continues, India is well on track to emerge as one of the most dynamic and consequential players in the global nuclear energy landscape by mid-century.
