India has unveiled an ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission under the Union Budget for FY26 with a clear target of expanding nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, a massive leap from the current 8.8 GW. This long-term vision is designed to support the country’s growing energy needs while aligning with clean energy commitments and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The mission has already triggered a strong policy and planning framework to accelerate capacity addition, modernise infrastructure, and encourage participation by both public and private sectors.

To drive this expansion, an inter-ministerial committee has been set up to create a detailed roadmap. The committee is focusing on reforms that will enable private companies and foreign players to collaborate in the nuclear sector, which has historically been dominated by public sector undertakings. This inclusion of private participation and international collaboration marks a major reform in India’s nuclear policy.

The roadmap outlines a reactor mix that will collectively achieve the 100 GW target by 2047. This includes 46.5 GW from Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), 38.8 GW from Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), 5 GW from Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), and 10 GW from Bharat Small/Modular Reactors (BSRs/BSMRs). This diversified mix combines proven designs with advanced technologies to cater to different geographical, fuel, and operational needs.

Achieving this goal will require an estimated investment of Rs. 20,00,000 crore (US$ 225.73 billion). The scale of investment highlights the long-term nature of nuclear projects and the crucial role of financing reforms. The committee has suggested long-term financing models, credit enhancement mechanisms, and inclusion of nuclear power within the climate finance taxonomy. This would allow easier access to global green funds and climate-linked investments, strengthening project viability.

Fuel security is a central part of the plan. By 2047, India will require around 8,000 tonnes of natural uranium and 1,000 tonnes of enriched uranium annually. To address this, the roadmap proposes expansion of domestic uranium mining, development of advanced fuel designs, and acquisition of foreign uranium mines through strategic partnerships. This will reduce supply risks and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability.

To make nuclear power more affordable, the committee has also recommended indigenizing manufacturing, which would help in lowering tariffs. Domestic production of critical components can reduce costs and create jobs, while also helping India become a global supplier of nuclear technology and equipment.

Managing the waste and lifecycle of reactors is another crucial component of the roadmap. With a growing number of reactors, the plan emphasizes waste management infrastructure, reprocessing of spent fuel, and setting up a dedicated decommissioning fund. These measures ensure environmental safety, sustainability, and adherence to international standards.

The mission also highlights the importance of Bharat Small/Modular Reactors (BSRs/BSMRs). These reactors are expected to play a significant role in decentralised energy generation, especially in regions with limited grid connectivity or land availability. They can also enable faster deployment and lower upfront costs, boosting private sector participation.

By promoting collaboration between public enterprises, private companies and international partners, the Nuclear Energy Mission is expected to boost innovation, manufacturing capacity, research, and technology transfer. The reforms are designed to create a supportive ecosystem for investment, growth, and development of next-generation nuclear infrastructure.

Positioning India as a global leader in nuclear power also supports its clean energy goals. Nuclear power offers reliable, low-carbon energy and can significantly reduce dependence on coal-based power generation. This aligns with India’s net-zero commitments and long-term sustainability goals.

The combination of policy reform, financing innovation, advanced reactor technology, fuel strategy, waste management and private sector participation forms the backbone of the mission. As India prepares to meet rising energy demand over the next two decades, nuclear power is set to become a major pillar of the country’s clean energy transition.

With a strong roadmap in place, the mission promises not only to boost electricity generation but also to create large-scale employment, foster high-end manufacturing, and integrate India into the global clean energy economy. The scale of the plan reflects the government’s confidence in nuclear power as a reliable, long-term solution for clean, stable and large-scale energy production.

By 2047, achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity would mark one of the most significant transformations in India’s energy landscape. The combination of PHWRs, PWRs, FBRs and BSRs/BSMRs, along with strategic reforms, investment of Rs. 20 lakh crore, domestic uranium development, foreign uranium acquisition, and climate-linked funding mechanisms, is expected to reshape the sector entirely. With strong focus on waste management, reprocessing and decommissioning, the mission emphasises accountability and sustainability for future generations.

This initiative is more than an energy policy—it's a long-term national strategy to ensure clean power, technological leadership and economic growth built on a foundation of nuclear innovation and global collaboration.

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