India’s Nuclear Regulator Rejects Regulatory Relaxations for Small Modular Reactors

India’s atomic energy regulator intends to apply the same rigorous safety and licensing standards to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as those currently required for large nuclear power plants. Despite their design as a potentially safer alternative, SMRs will not receive special regulatory exemptions, maintaining a unified approach to nuclear oversight.

Under the SHANTI Act—which recently facilitated private sector entry into civil nuclear energy—regulators have mandated that new domestic entrants must secure technical and training arrangements with established technology providers as a prerequisite for licensing. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board will conduct annual compliance monitoring to ensure that operators are adequately trained and that safety protocols remain strictly enforced across all facility types, regardless of size.

The government views SMRs (ranging from 30 MWe to 300 MWe) as critical for industrial decarbonization in sectors like steel and cement. However, the decision to prioritize safety over expedited deployment underscores the government’s cautious approach to managing private participation in a high-stakes sector, particularly as it seeks to leverage international partnerships to build a domestic manufacturing value chain for modular nuclear technology.