India Pledges Support for Private Sector in Civil Nuclear Investments: Minister

Quick Summary

• Target: India aims to produce 100 GW of atomic power by 2047, requiring private sector participation in the civil nuclear industry.
• Legislation: Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that changes to laws like the Atomic Energy Act and civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are needed to enable private sector involvement.
• current State: Nuclear energy is tightly controlled by the government through entities like NPCIL, BHAVINI, and ASHVINI. Present nuclear power capacity stands at 8,780 MWe, with plans to increase it to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
• Private Sector Hesitation: Concerns about liability laws have limited foreign and private investments in IndiaS nuclear parks at Jaitapur (Maharashtra), Mithi Virdi (Gujarat), and Kovvada (Andhra Pradesh). The government is addressing these concerns for more global alignment.
• Supportive Framework: Bharat Small Modular Reactors ranging from 50 MW to 300 MW are being developed for thermal plants at end-of-life stages; India is a signatory of international conventions regarding nuclear liability regulations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

India’s aspiring plan for expanding nuclear energy production signals a important shift towards integrating private enterprise into a sector historically dominated by state control. If executed effectively alongside legislative adjustments, this strategy coudl bring technological innovation and increased efficiency while meeting long-term climate goals.

Addressing liability issues will be crucial in reassuring foreign investors hesitant about exposure under existing laws-a concern that risks slowing investment momentum critical for achieving the set benchmarks.

This decision reflects India’s broader stance of aligning itself with global standards as it seeks economic prominence internationally-integrating strategies used by other advanced economies may enable more robust collaborations in clean energy technology development.

Read More: Published – July 20, 2025 | The Hindu