India’s nuclear energy programme, built on the principle of safety first, has grown from the Tarapur Atomic Power Station’s launch in 1969 to 24 operating reactors across seven sites with an installed capacity of 8.78 GW today. With nine more reactors under construction and preparations underway for 10 additional units, the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat targets 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, backed by the SHANTI Act, 2025 and a ₹20,000 crore Union Budget allocation for indigenous Small Modular Reactors.
This article covers the full scope of India’s nuclear programme — its role as the country’s most carbon-efficient clean energy source, its applications beyond electricity in healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, critical minerals, semiconductors and green hydrogen, the multi-layered “Defence in Depth” safety architecture, radiation protection standards, radioactive waste management including indigenous vitrification technology, and India’s multi-level nuclear emergency preparedness framework. It also addresses common myths about nuclear safety with evidence-based facts. Useful for anyone following India’s energy policy, clean technology, scientific research or the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Mudita Learning and Knowledge Private Limited
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Date of post: 29.08.2026
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