India's Nuclear Independence: BSMR Design Finalized

India has completed the concept design for the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) and is awaiting approval. Once sanctioned, construction is expected to take 60–72 months, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh’s statement in the Lok Sabha on March 12, 2025.

BSMRs, a modified version of the pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), will have a capacity of 200 MW and use slightly enriched uranium as fuel. Jointly developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and NPCIL, these reactors will be built with equipment and components sourced from indigenous nuclear vendors under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Domestic private vendors will supply critical components such as low-alloy steel forgings for reactor pressure vessels and reactivity control mechanisms. Designed to support energy-intensive industries like steel, aluminum, and cement, BSMRs can be installed in repurposed decommissioned thermal power plants or remote locations.

Based on globally proven pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology, BSMRs incorporate both passive and engineered safety systems to ensure nuclear safety in the event of accidents. They also include provisions for spent fuel management and in-situ storage.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.