India is witnessing a revival of its nuclear energy ambitions. In June 2024, the government announced plans to increase the country’s nuclear power generation capacity by approximately 70 percent by 2029. Announcing the ambitious target, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh revealed that India will achieve this target by adding seven new reactors and focusing on developing indigenous technology.
These plans received a significant boost last week when India’s second home-built 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat, began operating at full capacity. India is building 14 more such reactors, as it aims to reach an installed capacity of 100 GW by 2047. There are also plans to build 40-50 small modular reactors based on the PHWR technology.
Earlier this year, India also achieved a critical milestone in operating its first indigenous fast breeder reactor (FBR) with 500 MWe capacity at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. FBR technology is enormously beneficial because of its minimum nuclear waste generation, thereby reducing the reliance on large-scale waste repositories. Once commissioned, India will be the second country after Russia to operate a FBR. Additionally, reports suggest that India and Russia are discussing the possibility of building six more nuclear power units in India.
India’s ambitious nuclear energy plans are a key element of its energy security, as it aims to attain the target of net-zero emissions by 2070. India’s expanding nuclear energy program also brings attention to India’s nuclear security policies and regulatory practices, which continue to play a pivotal role in preventing unauthorized access, proliferation, and other security risks.
India’s Expanding Efforts on Nuclear Security
India’s nuclear security rests on a comprehensive legislative framework and institutional architecture. On the legal and policy side, the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 is critical in governing the development, regulation, and security of nuclear and radiological materials. The act provides the legal basis for a wide range of activities related to nuclear energy, from research and development to the secure handling of nuclear materials. The rules and guidelines under the act form the backbone of India’s approach to governing nuclear activities, ensuring that the country adheres to strict safety and security standards.
Its well-established regulatory institutions further reinforce India’s commitment to nuclear security. The Atomic Energy Commission, established in 1948, and the Department of Atomic Energy, set up in 1954, are central to the country’s nuclear governance. These institutions are responsible for designing, constructing, and operating nuclear power, researching reactors, and developing nuclear fuel cycle technologies. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), established in 1983, plays a critical role in ensuring that nuclear and radioactive materials are handled safely and securely. It is also responsible for issuing licenses, ensuring operators submit satisfactory emergency and security plans, and maintaining strict oversight of nuclear facilities.
Given that nuclear security remains a global issue, India is also active on the global front. India works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technical assistance with many initiatives including the recent Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative. Additionally, India is party to 13 international instruments to combat terrorism, including the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005) and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. These collaborations enhance India’s ability to respond to transnational threats and demonstrate its commitment to global nuclear security norms.
India is also investing in cutting-edge technologies and research initiatives. For instance, India has pursued a closed fuel cycle for plutonium reactors, ensuring that this material is purified and reused, thereby minimizing the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. Indian scientists are also adopting proliferation-resistant reactor designs, such as the advanced heavy water reactors, and procedures for enhancing the security of nuclear fuel cycle and also expanding efforts for nuclear forensics.
Recognizing the importance of public involvement in nuclear security, India has implemented extensive public awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives. These efforts include educational programs, drills, and simulations to enhance public understanding of nuclear security protocols and emergency response procedures.
By adopting a risk-reduction and informed approach, as inspired by the IAEA, India aims to reduce nuclear security risks to an acceptable level, ensuring that the country remains a responsible global participant in nuclear security. India’s proactive stance and robust framework make it a key player in the global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism and ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear energy.
Ironically, while India’s commitment to nuclear security is robust and it is a critical partner for the IAEA in strengthening global efforts, some international reports such as the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s (NTI) Nuclear Security Index rank India quite poorly, even below Pakistan. A lack of transparency and external outreach by India’s nuclear establishment could have partly contributed to the misperception that India is yet to establish the requisite nuclear security measures. However, rankings such as the NTI too have to go beyond the “tick-mark approach,” to bring in more nuance and sophistication in its analyses of country-specific nuclear safety regulations.
India’s Next Moves
As India’s nuclear energy program continues to grow, so does the responsibility to ensure its security, particularly given India’s location in a volatile neighborhood and its border disputes with China and Pakistan. As a result, a variety of security challenges have necessitated constant vigilance and robust security measures. In the past, Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations have shown interest in targeting India with a nuclear device: in 2013, the Indian Mujahideen leader Yasin Bhatkal had made an effort to acquire a nuclear bomb to carry out a blast in Surat, Gujarat.
Cybersecurity has also emerged as a major security concern, with cyberattack on India’s largest nuclear reactor in Kudankulam in September 2019, revealing the vulnerability of India’s nuclear infrastructure.
In response to these threats, India has taken additional steps to secure its nuclear infrastructure and protect itself from nuclear terrorism. Significant inter-agency collaboration has also evolved on these issues. However, stakeholders have indicated that the country needs to do more to adopt a multifaceted and robust approach to nuclear security, with cybersecurity as a core element. This includes strengthening cybersecurity protocols, training of personnel, more information sharing on latest cybersecurity threats and best practices, and simulation exercises to improve response times and strategies. This, in turn, will contribute to global efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Finally, India could also step up its nuclear security policy outreach, which could go a long way in enhancing understanding among the diverse global community of nuclear stakeholders. This is important because India has a good story to tell.