Release of the Detailed Project Report for the indigenous SMR-55 marks a significant step in NPCIL and BARC’s efforts to develop a compact nuclear power option for emerging energy needs.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) for SMR-55, an indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology being developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), was officially released on 1 October 2026.
DPR was signed by Raghupati Roy, Project Director (ART), NPCIL, and Joe Mohan, Director, RPG, BARC, in the presence of V. Rajesh, Chairman and Managing Director, NPCIL, and Vivek Bhasin, Director, BARC. Development marks an important step in India’s efforts to expand its nuclear technology base and explore smaller, flexible nuclear power systems for applications beyond conventional large nuclear power plants.
SMR-55: A Compact PWR-Based Nuclear Power Plant
SMR-55 is envisaged as a compact Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR)-based nuclear power plant, designed to provide reliable and continuous low-carbon electricity.
Its proposed applications extend across several emerging energy requirements. These include electrification of remote and off-grid locations, supplying power to energy-intensive data centers, and supporting heavy industries through captive power generation. Technology could also support broader industrial decarbonisation efforts by providing a firm, low-carbon source of electricity.
From Nuclear Technology to New Applications
One of the key opportunities for SMRs is their potential to address electricity requirements where conventional large nuclear power plants may not be the most suitable option. For India, applications such as remote electrification, industrial captive power and rapidly growing electricity demand from data centres could create new potential markets for smaller nuclear reactors.
The release of the SMR-55 DPR therefore represents more than a technology milestone. It provides a formal project-development document for an indigenous SMR concept and strengthens the foundation for exploring its future deployment.
Strengthening India’s Indigenous Nuclear Capability
The NPCIL-BARC collaboration also reflects India’s continuing focus on developing domestic nuclear technologies and capabilities. As India seeks to expand nuclear generation while pursuing its long-term clean-energy and energy-security objectives, indigenous SMR technologies could become an additional component of the country’s future nuclear energy portfolio.
SMR-55 initiative aligns with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat approach in nuclear technology, with NPCIL and BARC working towards a technology that could serve diverse power requirements. The release of the SMR-55 DPR marks another step in India’s pursuit of scalable, indigenous and low-carbon nuclear energy solutions.
