India is advancing a strategic shift in its energy policy positioning nuclear power as a critical complement to deeply expanding renewables. While renewable capacity surpassed 200 GW by late 2024, sources like solar and wind remain intermittent, making reliable, round‑the‑clock nuclear energy essential for long‑term energy security and decarbonisation.

The country has set bold targets: reaching 22,800 MW (22.8 GW) of nuclear capacity by 2031–32, and aiming for 100 GW by 2047—a key milestone aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat vision. Achieving such scale requires policy innovation: India is preparing legislative reforms, including amending the Atomic Energy Act and civil liability provisions to allow private and foreign investment, under its Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat.

Technological evolution is also central: the nation is advancing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), PHWRs, and fast breeder reactors, including its thorium‑cycle strategy, to build a resilient, indigenous ecosystem for nuclear energy. 

This nuclear-forward strategy aims to capably meet surging energy demand—forecast to multiple-fold by 2047 while sharply reducing reliance on fossil fuels and reinforcing India’s role in the global clean energy transition.