India’s nuclear ambitions entered a new phase following high-level discussions between Russia’s Rosatom and India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in Mumbai. The talks, led by Rosatom, centred on an expanded portfolio of nuclear energy initiatives, ranging from large-scale power reactors to new-generation small modular reactor (SMR) technologies. Technical specifications are now being prepared for a new Russian-designed nuclear power plant featuring advanced VVER-1200 units, reactors recognised for their enhanced safety systems and operational efficiency.
India Supports Private Sector Collaboration in Nuclear
New opportunities were also explored, including the deployment of Russian-designed small nuclear plants, potentially even floating reactor platforms that can supply coastal and island regions with stable low-carbon electricity. Both sides highlighted the importance of enhancing India’s nuclear fuel cycle capabilities and increasing the localisation of manufacturing, a strategic step that aligns with India’s “Make in India” agenda. Rosatom emphasised that the long-standing partnership at Kudankulam has established a capable supply chain and a model of technological exchange that can now be replicated in future ventures across the country.
Kudankulam: India’s Flagship Nuclear Project Moves Forward
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), located at India’s southern tip, remains the centrepiece of Indo-Russian nuclear cooperation and a crucial pillar of India’s clean-energy strategy. Two VVER-1000 reactors are already in commercial operation, supplying reliable baseload power since 2014 and 2017 respectively. Unit 3 is currently undergoing pre-startup procedures, approaching the critical milestone of open-reactor safety system testing. Construction and installation work on Unit 4 continues in parallel, while Units 5 and 6, forming the plant’s third stage, are progressing steadily on site.
A fourth phase has also been proposed, involving two larger VVER-1200 reactors (Kudankulam Units 7 and 8), which would transform the complex into one of the most significant civilian nuclear facilities outside Europe or North America. Officials on both sides noted that the collaborative engineering, project management and logistical expertise gained at Kudankulam will serve as the foundation for India’s expansion into new nuclear sites and technologies.
India currently operates 24 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 7,943 MW, and an additional 4,768 MW is under construction. A further 10 units, adding around 7 GW, are at pre-project stages. These numbers underscore the pace at which India intends to expand its civil nuclear infrastructure to meet rising energy demands, climate commitments and industrialisation goals.
Towards 100 GW by 2047: India’s Nuclear Vision and the Promise of SMRs
India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, aligning with long-term decarbonisation objectives and the nation’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. This vision follows a dual strategy: deploying large reactors like the VVER series while accelerating the development of indigenous small modular reactors. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is currently developing three SMR designs:
The 200 MWe Bharat SMR (BSMR-200)A 55 MWe small modular reactorA 5 MWt high-temperature gas-cooled reactor designed for hydrogen production
These designs reflect India’s intent not only to scale up electricity production but also to integrate nuclear technology into wider industrial applications, particularly green hydrogen, process heat, and decentralised clean-energy systems.
The global shift toward SMRs aligns well with India’s needs. They offer lower upfront costs, enhanced safety, shorter construction timelines and the flexibility to serve remote or industrial regions. If adopted widely, India could become a major global hub for SMR development, manufacturing and export, mirroring the trajectory it has followed in space technology and digital infrastructure.
The ambition, however, requires more than scientific capability; it demands a new policy environment capable of supporting investment, innovation and competition.
A Historic Policy Shift: Opening India’s Nuclear Sector to Private Players
In a landmark announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signalled that India is preparing to open parts of the nuclear energy sector to private participation, particularly in the development and manufacturing of SMRs and advanced reactor technologies. Speaking at the inauguration of an aeronautics centre in Hyderabad, he emphasised that private involvement would accelerate innovation, improve energy security and help India expand nuclear capacity far more rapidly than the public sector alone could achieve.
The Prime Minister’s remarks represent the most significant policy shift in India’s nuclear governance since the civil nuclear liability framework was introduced. India’s experience with the space sector demonstrates the potential: once private entities were allowed to enter, the country saw a surge of start-ups, satellite launches and commercial partnerships. Policymakers believe the nuclear sector is poised for a similar transformation.
To facilitate this transition, the government is working on adjustments to civil liability provisions and associated regulatory measures. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) remains the central operator, but private players would soon be able to design, manufacture and potentially even deploy modular reactors under strict safety and non-proliferation frameworks. Analysts expect that the winter parliamentary session may introduce the first wave of reforms.
This shift is driven by necessity as well as ambition. To reach 22,000 MW of nuclear capacity in the near term, and 100 GW by 2047, India needs greater manufacturing depth, new investment channels and a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Private engagement offers each of these.
India’s nuclear trajectory is entering a decisive moment. With Russia deepening cooperation across both large-scale and SMR technologies, Kudankulam advancing through multiple construction phases, domestic R&D maturing, and historic reforms opening the sector to private enterprise, India is positioning itself as a global leader in clean, reliable and scalable nuclear power. The combined effect promises not only to strengthen India’s energy security but also to elevate its international standing in next-generation nuclear technology and climate leadership.
Written By:
*Cole Jackson
Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Chinese & South American Specialist
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