India has moved beyond the conceptual stage in its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme, with the government confirming that the detailed project report (DPR) for the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) has been approved, while financial sanction is awaited and pre-project activities are underway.
The update, provided in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, signals concrete progress in India’s push to develop next-generation nuclear technologies domestically.
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre had initiated design and development of multiple SMRs under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
“220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200). The detailed project report has been approved and financial sanction is awaited. Various pre-project activities are under progress,” Singh said.
Alongside the BSMR-200, the 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) proposal has received approval in principle and design detailing for it is in progress, the minister said.
He added that design and development of major prototype equipment for the 55 MWe SMR are in progress.
In another parallel effort, India is developing an up to 5 MWth high-temperature gas-cooled reactor for hydrogen generation.
The minister said that its DPR has been prepared and financial and administrative approval is being sought, while design detailing is in progress.
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Strategic role in energy transition
The minister stated that nuclear energy is envisaged as a clean and reliable source, with SMRs prioritised for deployment at brownfield sites as captive plants, repurposing retiring fossil fuel-based power stations, and supplying electricity to remote locations without grid connectivity.
SMRs are also being viewed as a promising technology for industrial decarbonisation due to their ability to provide continuous power, requiring significantly lower exclusion zones, reducing land requirements, and offering shorter construction timelines with standardised designs suitable for serial production.
Indigenous capability strengthens execution
The minister noted that the Department of Atomic Energy has acquired expertise across the complete front and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle through its experience with indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
Slightly enriched uranium is being considered as a potential fuel, with plans to reprocess spent fuel to recover valuable materials and reduce nuclear waste.
Most of the required equipment falls within the manufacturing capability of Indian industry, supported by technological handholding from BARC.
Supporting India’s long-term nuclear goals
SMRs are being developed for objectives including repurposing fossil fuel plants, captive use in energy-intensive industries, and off-grid applications.
They are expected to complement large reactors in helping India achieve its target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, while enabling rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector.
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