India’s Nuclear Ambition Reimagined: The 100 GW Roadmap and the Silent Revolution in Science 

India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has unveiled an ambitious, multi-pronged strategy to become a cornerstone of the nation’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, centering on a massive tenfold expansion of nuclear power to 100 GW by 2047 through a diverse mix of large indigenous reactors, international collaborations, innovative Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and next-generation thorium-based fuel cycles.

This goes far beyond electricity, championing a silent revolution in non-power applications where radiation technology tackles societal challenges in healthcare, food security, and environmental management. To catalyze this vision, the upcoming ESTIC-2025 conclave serves as a crucial collaborative platform, designed to break down traditional silos and foster a radical new ecosystem where government, research institutions, and industry converge to transform this bold roadmap into a reality of sustainable energy, technological self-reliance, and widespread public empowerment.

India’s Nuclear Ambition Reimagined: The 100 GW Roadmap and the Silent Revolution in Science 

The announcement from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) headquarters in Mumbai wasn’t just another bureaucratic curtain-raiser. It was a quiet but confident declaration of India’s intent to harness the atom not just for power, but for profound national transformation. As the DAE unveiled its plans for the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025), the subtext was clear: India’s scientific establishment is preparing for a quantum leap, and nuclear energy is at the very heart of this ambitious agenda. 

The most headline-grabbing statement came from Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He positioned the DAE as a “key enabler” in achieving a staggering 100 GW of reliable, zero-emission nuclear power capacity by 2047—the centenary of India’s independence. 

But what does this number truly mean? And how does it connect to the broader tapestry of innovation promised by ESTIC? This isn’t merely about building more reactors; it’s about orchestrating a fundamental shift in India’s energy, technological, and societal landscape. 

Deconstructing the 100 GW Vision: More Than Just Megawatts 

Currently, India’s nuclear fleet stands at 25 reactors with a combined capacity of 8,880 MW. To reach 100,000 MW (100 GW) in just over two decades requires more than a tenfold increase. This is a Herculean task, but the DAE’s roadmap reveals a sophisticated, multi-pronged strategy that moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. 

• The Bedrock: Indigenous Large Reactors. The backbone of the expansion will continue to be homegrown Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), a technology India has mastered. Scaling up their construction with standardized designs and streamlined processes is the first, crucial step. 

• Strategic Imports & Collaborations. Projects like the Kudankulam plant, built in collaboration with Russia, demonstrate India’s pragmatic approach. Leveraging international partnerships allows for technology infusion and accelerates capacity addition, bringing global best practices to Indian shores. 

• The Game-Changer: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This is where the vision gets truly innovative. SMRs are compact, factory-built reactors with capacities typically under 300 MW. Their potential is revolutionary for India: 

• Decentralized Power: They can be deployed in remote locations, industrial clusters, or even replace aging coal plants, providing clean, stable power without the need for massive grid overhauls. 

• Faster Deployment: Being factory-assembled, they can drastically reduce construction times from a decade to just a few years. 

• Enhanced Safety: Their passive safety systems make them inherently safer, potentially easing public concerns. 

• The Long-Term Frontier: Advanced Fuel Cycles. The true masterstroke lies in India’s commitment to its three-stage nuclear program. The imminent commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) marks the transition to the second stage, which “breeds” more fissile material than it consumes. This paves the way for the ultimate goal: the thorium-based fuel cycle. With one of the world’s largest thorium reserves, this third stage would essentially grant India energy independence for centuries, insulating it from global uranium market fluctuations. 

Beyond the Megawatt: The Unsung Revolution in Non-Power Applications 

While the 100 GW goal captures the imagination, the DAE’s role extends far beyond electricity generation. This is the “silent revolution” that touches lives in ways most citizens are unaware of. The conclave rightly highlighted this, framing it as a champion for societal solutions. 

• Healthcare Lifelines: Particle accelerators and research reactors are workhorses for producing radioisotopes essential for medical imaging (like PET scans) and cancer therapy (radiation oncology). The radio-pharmaceuticals produced by DAE units are critical in diagnosing and treating millions of patients across the country, making advanced healthcare more accessible and affordable. 

• Food Security & Agriculture: Radiation technology is used to preserve food by eliminating pathogens and delaying spoilage, reducing post-harvest losses. It’s also used to develop high-yield, disease-resistant crop varieties through mutation breeding, directly contributing to the nation’s food security. 

• Water & Environmental Management: Radiation techniques can purify wastewater and sewage sludge, making them safer for disposal or reuse. This addresses critical urban and environmental challenges, aligning perfectly with the “Energy, Environment and Climate” theme DAE is leading at ESTIC. 

ESTIC-2025: The Crucible for a “Viksit Bharat” 

The Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave is not a standalone event. It is the strategic platform designed to catalyze this entire vision. The involvement of 13 different ministries and departments underscores a critical realization: grand challenges cannot be solved in silos. 

Shri Sunil Ganju’s comments on the need for a “radically different ecosystem” for energy startups highlight a pivotal shift in mindset. The goal is to break down the traditional barriers between academia, research institutions (like those under DAE), and industry. Imagine a startup leveraging DAE’s expertise in material science to develop a new component for an SMR, or a company using radiation technology to create a novel solution for microplastic pollution. ESTIC aims to be the marketplace for such synergistic collaborations. 

This aligns perfectly with the conclave’s overarching theme: “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement, and Empowerment.” The 100 GW nuclear target is a pillar of this vision, providing the clean, firm power required to fuel a developed economy. The non-power applications are the tools for empowerment, improving health, agriculture, and quality of life. The collaborative ecosystem ESTIC promises is the engine that will drive it all. 

The Road Ahead: Challenges and the Promise of Self-Reliance 

The path to 100 GW is not without its hurdles. It will require massive investments, a skilled workforce, streamlined regulatory approvals, and continuous public engagement to build trust. However, the integrated approach showcased at the curtain raiser—combining a bold national goal with grassroots innovation and cross-ministerial cooperation—suggests a more mature and resilient strategy is taking shape. 

India is not just adding nuclear capacity; it is building an entire technological ecosystem around it. From the macro-scale of gigawatt reactors to the micro-scale of medical isotopes, the atom is being positioned as a fundamental building block for a self-reliant, developed, and sustainable India. The curtain has been raised on ESTIC-2025, but more importantly, it has been raised on a bold new chapter for Indian science and its role in shaping the nation’s destiny.  independence, technological leadership, and improved quality of life.