Budget 2025-26: ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission for small modular reactors
On 1 February 2025, in Parliament in New Delhi, the Union Budget 2025-26 announced a Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore.
Summary
On 1 February 2025, in Parliament in New Delhi, the Union Budget 2025-26 announced a Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore; at least 5 indigenously developed SMRs will be operational by 2033. The Finance Minister said at least 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 is essential for the energy transition, and that the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be amended to allow private-sector partnership. For transport, a Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of ₹25,000 crore will be set up, with up to 49% from the Government, and a modified UDAN scheme will connect 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 1 Feb 2025, Parliament, New Delhi
- Nuclear Energy Mission
- SMR R&D; ₹20,000 crore
- SMR target
- At least 5 indigenous SMRs operational by 2033
- Long-term goal
- At least 100 GW nuclear by 2047
- Laws to amend
- Atomic Energy Act; Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act
- Maritime Development Fund
- ₹25,000 crore corpus; up to 49% Government
- Modified UDAN
- 120 new destinations; 4 crore passengers in 10 years
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What is the outlay of the Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors announced in the Union Budget 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — ₹20,000 crore
PIB (1 Feb 2025): a Nuclear Energy Mission for R&D of Small Modular Reactors with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore will be set up.
Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, at least 5 indigenously developed Small Modular Reactors are to be operational by:
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Correct answer: B — 2033
PIB (1 Feb 2025): at least 5 indigenously developed SMRs will be operationalized by 2033.
Consider the following statements about the Union Budget 2025-26: 1. It said development of at least 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 is essential for the energy transition. 2. It proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act for partnership with the private sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Budget speech (para 61): at least 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 is essential, and the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be amended for private-sector partnership. Both statements are correct. Answer: Both 1 and 2.
The modified UDAN scheme announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 aims to connect how many new destinations over the next 10 years?
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Correct answer: A — 120
Budget speech: a modified UDAN scheme will enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.