India plans to produce 20,000 MWe of energy from nuclear sector by 2020 and 63,000 MWe by 2032. In the long term, nuclear power will supply 25% of its electricity by 2050.

Indian nuclear energy development is featured with its parallel programmes. The well-known Indigenous three-stage nuclear programme is the base of Indian nuclear energy industry, and the import of LWR Reactors programme becomes its supplement.

The Indigenous three-stage nuclear programme, also known as a thorium-based nuclear programme, is initiated for the goal of self-reliance through the utilization of domestic thorium resources, which India has the share of 25% of the world’s known reserves. The first stage consisting of pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) has reached a state of commercial maturity. The second stage of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) has been commercially launched with the construction of 500Mwe Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam. The third stage systems (using U233–Thorium232 obtained from spent fuel of second stage) have been developed at pilot scale. The development of commercial technology of third stage is under way currently. However, the commercial deployment of this technology is expected to take appreciable time.

India planned to build 5 new nuclear energy parks based on imported technologies- each having a potential of producing 10,000 MW, at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh, Haripur in West Bengal, Jaitapur in Maharashtra and Chhaya Mithi Virdi in Gujarat. Contracts or agreements have been signed between NPCIL and Rosatom, Areva, Westinghouse as well as GE-Hitachi respectively. However, the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010, which holds the nuclear suppliers liable for a nuclear accident, stymied the progress. An effective solution is still in the process of negotiation.