India currently has 24 nuclear reactors in commercial operation with a combined installed capacity of 8,780 MW, according to information shared by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in Parliament.
The update was provided by Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 30.
The government also highlighted the strong performance of nuclear power plants. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the average Plant Load Factor (PLF) of nuclear power stations was higher than the average PLF of thermal power plants in India, excluding gas-based plants and major refurbishment periods.
India’s operational nuclear fleet is spread across six states:
- Maharashtra – Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS)
- Rajasthan – Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS)
- Uttar Pradesh – Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS)
- Gujarat – Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS)
- Karnataka – Kaiga Generating Station (KGS)
- Tamil Nadu – Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)
Among the country’s largest nuclear power stations, Kudankulam Units 1 and 2 in Tamil Nadu continued to deliver strong electricity generation. Together, the two 1,000 MW units generated more than 13,200 million units of electricity in 2023-24.
Meanwhile, newer reactors are steadily joining the national grid. Kakrapar Unit 3 commenced commercial operation in June 2023, while Kakrapar Unit 4 entered commercial operation in March 2024, adding to India’s nuclear generation capacity.
The latest figures underline the growing contribution of nuclear energy to India’s electricity mix. As the country pursues clean energy, energy security and long-term decarbonisation goals, nuclear power is expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting future demand.
