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NPCIL Plans New Design Vertical for Private Players Under SHANTI Act; PHWR Cost at Rs 18 Cr/MWe

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
26 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:8.7 GWe100 GWe by 2047Rs 18 crore/MWeRs 34 crore/MWeSHANTI Act December 2025Adani 10 GWe
Bodies:NPCILDAEBARCCEAIndira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.NPCIL to set up a new design vertical to provide technological support to private players and state governments for deploying indigenous PHWR technology, following the enactment of the SHANTI Act in December 2025.

2.India's current nuclear capacity is 8.7 GWe (all NPCIL-operated), with a target of 100 GWe by 2047; PHWRs are identified as prime candidates for expansion due to established domestic supply chain.

3.Indigenous PHWR cost is ~Rs 18 crore/MWe vs Rs 34 crore/MWe for Russian reactors and higher for French/US, making them the most viable option for India's price-sensitive power market.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's nuclear sector opens to private participation under the SHANTI Act 2025. NPCIL plans a new design vertical to provide PHWR technology support to private players and state governments. With current capacity at 8.7 GWe and a target of 100 GWe by 2047, PHWRs at Rs 18 crore/MWe are the most cost-effective option compared to foreign reactors.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Nuclear Capacity (Current)8.7 GWe
Nuclear Capacity Target (2047)100 GWe
SHANTI Act EnactmentDecember 2025
PHWR CostRs 18 crore/MWe
Russian Reactor CostRs 34 crore/MWe
Adani Planned Capacity10 GWe
Jindal Planned Capacity18 GWe

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Nuclear Capacity (Current): 8.7 GWe
  • ›Nuclear Capacity Target (2047): 100 GWe
  • ›Target this Data: 8.7 GWe current nuclear capacity; 100 GWe target by 2047; PHWR cost Rs 18 crore/MWe
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: NPCIL under Department of Atomic Energy
  • ›Target this Legal Point: SHANTI Act 2025

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which organization is primarily responsible for implementing nuclear power projects in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's nuclear power expansion:

1. The SHANTI Act was enacted in December 2025 to open the nuclear sector to private participation.

2. India's current nuclear power capacity is 8.7 GWe, all operated by private companies.

3. The CEA roadmap targets 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the estimated cost of indigenous PHWR reactors per megawatt-electric (MWe)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason for private players initially choosing PHWR technology over foreign reactor technologies?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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