New Delhi: The Union government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 to support the research, design, development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative aims to advance indigenous reactor technology and strengthen India’s nuclear energy capabilities.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is currently working on the design and development of three types of small modular reactors. These include 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), and a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor of up to 5 MWth capacity intended for hydrogen generation. The lead units of these reactors will be set up at DAE sites to demonstrate the technology, the minister informed the House.
He said that an estimated Rs 5,960 crore has been earmarked for the development and construction of the BSMR-200 reactor. Around Rs 7,000 crore will be used for developing and constructing two units of the SMR-55, while Rs 320 crore has been allocated for the design and construction of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. Additional funds have been earmarked for reactor design and engineering work as well as civil and infrastructure development for the reactor complex.
Providing details of progress made so far, the minister said the BSMR-200 project has received in-principle approval from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and a proposal for administrative and financial sanction has been cleared for submission to the Cabinet Committee. The SMR-55 project has also received in-principle approval.
For the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, a detailed project report has been prepared. Siting consent has been obtained and the terms of reference for environmental clearances have been issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Dr. Singh further said key technologies required for these reactors have been developed domestically. A special material known as Advanced Purified Reactor Vessel Alloy (ApuRVA) has been developed in collaboration with Indian industries for forging reactor pressure vessels used in the BSMR-200 and SMR-55 reactors. The control rod drive mechanism has also been developed within the country.
He noted that most of the equipment required for the reactors can be manufactured by Indian industries with technological support from BARC.
The Bharat Small Modular Reactor is being jointly designed and developed by BARC and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The estimated construction time for the BSMR is expected to be between 60 and 72 months after administrative and financial approval is granted.
