India plans to develop and operationalise at least five indigenously designed small modular reactors, or SMRs, by 2033, according to information shared by the government in Parliament. The roadmap points to a stronger domestic role in next-generation nuclear technology.
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is currently working on three different SMR designs. That suggests India is pursuing multiple technical approaches as it builds a homegrown reactor portfolio rather than depending on a single model.
According to the government, these smaller reactors are expected to help meet power needs in energy-intensive industries and in remote areas. Their scale and design make them a potential fit for locations where large conventional nuclear plants may be harder to deploy.
The plan underscores India’s effort to expand its nuclear energy options with locally developed systems. By focusing on indigenous SMRs, the government is signaling support for flexible reactor deployment and wider use of domestic nuclear engineering.
