GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Feb. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the “Nuclear Mission” announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, stating that it would mark a transformative shift in India’s energy landscape, enabling nuclear power to become a major source of energy for the country.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Singh, who serves as the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Atomic Energy, emphasized the vital role nuclear energy will play in ensuring India’s energy security and self-sufficiency. He outlined the government’s ambitious plan to significantly increase nuclear power capacity, aiming for 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.
“The Nuclear Mission is a game-changer for India’s energy sector. With ₹20,000 crore allocated for the Research and Development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), we are targeting at least five indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033. This will be a key step in achieving our energy goals,” Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh also praised the revolutionary move to open the nuclear sector to private sector participation, which has been a long-standing policy shift. “For 60-70 years, the nuclear sector operated under secrecy. Now, with greater openness, India can accelerate innovation and growth in nuclear energy, aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.
Noting India’s reliance on petroleum imports, Dr. Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainable, clean energy sources. He expressed confidence that nuclear energy will be a cornerstone of India’s energy security strategy moving forward.
India’s current nuclear capacity of 8,180 MW is set to increase significantly with ten reactors under construction in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The government’s goal is to reach 22,480 MW of nuclear power by 2031-32, with plans for even more reactors in the pipeline, including a 6 x 1208 MW nuclear power plant in Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with the USA.
Dr. Singh also highlighted India’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, noting the target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030, in line with the country’s COP26 pledge.
In addition to nuclear energy, Dr. Singh introduced the BIOe3 Policy, India’s first initiative to foster a biotechnology-driven industrial revolution, promoting bio-manufacturing, circular economy models, and sustainable practices in the biotech sector.
Dr. Singh concluded by stating that the provisions in the Union Budget for nuclear energy reflect a transformative approach to India’s energy future. The Nuclear Mission is poised to elevate India as a global leader in advanced nuclear technologies by 2047, while strengthening the country’s energy security and environmental goals.
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