List of Nuclear Power Plants in India UPSC Notes

India’s nuclear power program plays a significant role in meeting the country’s growing energy demands while striving for carbon neutrality. This list provides a comprehensive overview of the operational and upcoming nuclear power plants across India, essential knowledge for UPSC, and all competitive exam aspirants.

Importance of Nuclear Power in India

• Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India, following coal, hydro, solar, and wind energy.

• It contributes about 3% of the total electricity generation in the country.

• Nuclear energy is clean, eco-friendly, and provides a 24/7 baseload power supply.

• It has the potential to secure India’s long-term energy needs in a sustainable way.

◾Don’t Miss: All Articles on Static GK

Current Status of India’s Nuclear Power

• As of November 2024, India has 24 nuclear reactors across 8 nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 8,180 MW.

• 48 TWh of nuclear energy was generated in 2023, showing its growing importance in India’s energy mix.

• 11 more reactors are under construction, expected to add 8,700 MW of capacity.

India’s Nuclear Energy Goals

• In 2010, India planned to achieve a nuclear capacity of 63 GW by 2032.

• However, anti-nuclear protests and the 2011 Fukushima disaster caused delays.

• Protests occurred at sites like Jaitapur (Maharashtra), Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), and Haripur (West Bengal).

• A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the civil nuclear program.

Unique Features of India’s Nuclear Program

• India is working on thorium-based fuels as part of its three-stage nuclear power program.

• Thorium reactors aim to use low-enriched uranium for cleaner and safer energy.

Historical Background

• India’s nuclear energy program began under Homi J. Bhabha, soon after independence.

• Asia’s first nuclear reactor, the Apsara Research Reactor, is located in Mumbai.

Types of Reactors and Fuel Sources

• India has 22 operational reactors with a combined capacity of 6,780 MW.
  • 18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  • 4 reactors are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).

• India’s domestic uranium reserves are limited, so the country relies on imports.

• Since the 1990s, Russia has been a key supplier of uranium for India’s nuclear program.

List of Nuclear Power Plants in India

Here’s the list of 7 Operational Nuclear Power Plants in India:

Nuclear Power Plants in India: Upcoming Projects

Nuclear Power Plants in India – Under Construction

Key Facts about India’s Major Nuclear Power Plants

Kalpakkam

Location

• Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) is situated in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India, approximately 80 kilometers south of Chennai.

Key Features:

• Multi-faceted Facility: MAPS is a comprehensive nuclear facility encompassing power generation, fuel reprocessing, waste management, and plutonium fuel fabrication for fast breeder reactors (FBRs).

• Indigenous Construction: It holds the distinction of being India’s first fully indigenously constructed nuclear power station.

• Reactor Capacity: Two units, each generating 220 MW of electricity.

• Advanced Safety: Features double-shell containment for enhanced safety, including protection against loss-of-coolant accidents.

Fast Breeder Reactor Development:

• Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): Home to India’s first large-scale 500 MWe fast breeder reactor, operated by Bhavini.

• FBR-600: The site is designated for the construction of the first two commercial FBR-600 reactors.

• Waste Management: Includes an Interim Storage Facility (ISF) for nuclear waste.

Kaiga

• Location: Kaiga Generating Station is located in Kaiga, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India, near the Kali River.

• Operator: Operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).

• Operational Status: In operation since March 2000.

• Reactor Configuration:
  • Four units total.
  • Two older units (west side) are small-sized pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) with a gross capacity of 220 MW each.
  • Two newer units (east side) are also PHWRs.

Kakrapar

• Location: Kakrapar Atomic Power Station is situated near Mandvi, Surat, and the Tapi River in Gujarat, India.

• Significance: It is a notable nuclear power station contributing to India’s nuclear energy production.

• Capacity: After commissioning units 3 and 4, it became the second largest nuclear power plant in India in terms of installed capacity, following the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

• State: The station is located in Gujarat, emphasizing its importance in the region’s energy infrastructure.

Rawatbhata

• Name: Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), also known as Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP).

• Location: Situated in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, India.

• Significance: It is the fourth-largest nuclear power plant in India in terms of installed capacity.

• Ranking: Follows the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, and Tarapur Atomic Power Station in size.

Tarapur

• Name: Tarapur Atomic Power Station (T.A.P.S.).

• Location: Situated in Tarapur, Palghar, India.

• Historical Importance: It is the first commercial nuclear power station built in India.

• Significance: One of the largest nuclear power plants in the country.

• Reactor Details:
  • 4 reactors in total:
    • 2 Boiling Water Reactors (BWR-1), each with a capacity of 160 MWe.
    • 2 Indian Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (IPHWRs), each with a capacity of 540 MWe.

Narora

• Location: Situated in Narora, Dibai Tehsil, Bulandshahar District, Uttar Pradesh, India.

• Type of Reactors:
  • The plant houses two Pressurized Heavy-Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  • Each reactor has a capacity of 220 MW of electricity.

• Commercial Operation:
  • NAPS-1: Began commercial operations on 1 January 1991.
  • NAPS-2: Began commercial operations on 1 July 1992.

• IAEA Safeguards:
  • Initially, the reactors were not under IAEA safeguards.
  • Following the signing of the 1-2-3 agreement, the reactors were placed under IAEA monitoring in 2014.

Kudankulam

• Location: Kudankulam, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India.

• Significance: Largest nuclear power station in India.

Reactors and Capacity

• Planned to have six VVER-1000 reactors, with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW.

• Built in collaboration with Atomstroyexport (Russia) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

Cheemeni (Upcoming)

• Location: Near Cheemeni, Kasaragod district, Kerala, India.

• Status: Proposed nuclear power plant.

• Site Area: Planned to be built on 150 acres (61 hectares) of land.

• Marks Kerala’s initiative in nuclear energy development.

• Aims to bolster energy production in the state through clean nuclear energy.

Kovvada (Proposed)

• Location: Kovvada, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Status: Proposed nuclear power station.

• Planned Capacity: 6,600 MW.

• Total Land Requirement: 2,067 acres.

• Land Acquired: 485 acres handed over by the Srikakulam district administration.

• Remaining Land: 1,582 acres acquisition was projected to be completed by October 2017.

• Set to become a major contributor to India’s nuclear power generation.

• Aims to strengthen energy security and promote sustainable power production in the region.

Haripur (Proposed)

• Location: Haripur village, Purba Midnapore district, West Bengal.

• Proponent: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

• Type: Proposed nuclear power station.

• Significance: Aimed to expand nuclear power generation capacity in eastern India.

• The project is expected to provide a significant boost to the region’s power supply once operational.

• Local community and environmental concerns have delayed progress on the proposal.

Jaitapur

• Location: Madban village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India.

• Proponent: Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).

• Projected Capacity: 9,900 MW, making it the largest nuclear power generating station in the world by net generation capacity if completed.

• Significance: The project is intended to be a milestone in India’s nuclear energy capacity, contributing significantly to India’s long-term energy security.

• Environmental Concerns: The project has faced protests and opposition due to environmental and safety concerns, primarily from local communities and environmental groups.

Nuclear Power in India: Exam-Oriented Points

• Current Status:
  • Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India.
  • 22 operational reactors in 8 plants with a total installed capacity of 7,380 MW.
  • Contributed 2.8% to total power generation in 2022-23, producing 46.9 TWh.
  • 10 more reactors are under construction (8,000 MW combined capacity).

• Historical Targets:
  • 2010 target: Achieve 63 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2032.

• International Cooperation:
  • Russia has been a key supplier of nuclear fuel since the 1990s.
  • 2008: India received an NSG waiver, enabling international nuclear trade.
  • Uranium supply agreements with Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina, and Namibia.

• Domestic Uranium Resources:
  • Significant discoveries in Tummalapalle (Andhra Pradesh) and Bhima Basin (Karnataka).
  • Tummalapalle ranks among the world’s top 20 uranium discoveries with 44,000 tonnes.
  • Bhima Basin has smaller deposits but higher-grade ore.

• Thorium Focus:
  • India has abundant thorium deposits (518,000 tonnes) compared to modest uranium reserves (92,000 tonnes).
  • Increased interest in thorium fuels and fuel cycles.

• Key Uranium Suppliers:
  • Kazakhstan is the largest uranium supplier to India.
  • Significant uranium ore deposits in Rohil, Sikar District, Rajasthan (over 15,000 tonnes).

FAQs

Sources:

• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): https://aerb.gov.in/
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL): https://www.npcil.nic.in/

More Static GK:

Diversity in the Living World Class 11 NCERT Notes

Cell Organelles and Biomolecules: Complete Overview (NCERT)

Ecosystem: Complete Overview (NCERT)

Obituaries Current Affairs 20245 Month-wise Complete List

List of Recent Appointments in India and World 2025: Current Affairs

List of Awards and Honours 2025: Month-wise Complete Notes