India’s nuclear programme is a cornerstone of its national strategy, engineered to address two critical imperatives simultaneously. On one hand, it is a key component of the country’s long-term energy security plan, designed to meet the escalating power demands of a rapidly growing economy. On the other, it provides the technological foundation for a credible strategic deterrent, underpinning the nation’s security architecture. This dual-use nature makes the programme a central element of India’s standing as a major global power.

1.1 Civil Nuclear Power Infrastructure

To secure its energy future, India operates a significant and expanding network of nuclear power plants under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). This infrastructure is critical to diversifying the nation’s energy mix and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Table 1: Operational Nuclear Power Plants in India

In addition to its operational capacity, India is actively expanding its nuclear power generation with several new reactors under construction.

Table 2: Nuclear Power Plants Under Construction

Further cementing its commitment to nuclear energy, India has an ambitious pipeline of planned projects across the country.

Planned Nuclear Power Projects

• Jaitapur: Located in Maharashtra, with a planned total capacity of 9,900 MW.
• Kovvada: Located in Andhra Pradesh, with a planned total capacity of 6,600 MW.
• Mithi Virdi (Viradi): Located in Gujarat, with a planned total capacity of 6,600 MW.
• Haripur: Located in West Bengal, with a planned total capacity of 6,000 MW.
• Gorakhpur: Located in Haryana, with a planned total capacity of 2,800 MW.
• Bhimpur: Located in Madhya Pradesh, with a planned total capacity of 2,800 MW.
• Mahi Banswara: Located in Rajasthan, with a planned total capacity of 2,800 MW.
• Kaiga: Located in Karnataka, with a planned total capacity of 1,400 MW.
• Chutka: Located in Madhya Pradesh, with a planned total capacity of 1,400 MW.
• Madras: Located in Tamil Nadu, with a planned total capacity of 1,200 MW.
• Tarapur: Located in Maharashtra, with a planned total capacity of 300 MW.

1.2 Strategic Resources and International Collaboration

The foundational elements of India’s nuclear self-reliance were established early in its history, beginning with its first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which was inaugurated in 1957 with assistance from the United Kingdom. To fuel its indigenous programme, securing domestic resources has been a strategic priority. The discovery of approximately 44,000 tonnes of natural uranium in the Tummalapalle belt by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) represents a significant step toward this goal.

While emphasizing self-reliance, India has also engaged in key international collaborations to accelerate its civil nuclear programme. Notable partnerships include collaboration with France for the planned 9,900 MW Jaitapur plant and an ongoing Indo-Russian collaboration for the 2,000 MW Kudankulam plant.

The technological base and expertise cultivated for civil and resource development are intrinsically linked to the programme’s military applications, which are operationalized through an advanced missile delivery system.