Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance

The Union Budget 2025-26 announced the **Atomic Energy Mission** to support India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, aiming to generate **100 GW of nuclear power capacity** by 2047. Additionally, the mission targets the development and operation of **five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)** by 2033, with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) leading the design of reactors like the **220 MW Bharat SMR (BSMR-200)**, **55 MW SMR-55**, and a **5 MW High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR)** for hydrogen production. The **Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (PUEA) Act, 2025**, enacted by Parliament, formalizes this mission, opening the nuclear sector to private participation while ensuring robust regulatory oversight through the **Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)**. The mission’s phased rollout includes expanding nuclear capacity from the current **8.78 GW to 22 GW by 2031-32**, adding **32 GW via indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and Light Water Reactors (LWRs)**, and the remaining **46 GW through public-private partnerships**, aligning with India’s energy transition goals.

For banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B aspirants, this initiative highlights **policy-driven growth in nuclear energy**, a key sector for India’s **sustainable development and energy security**. The mission’s focus on **indigenous technology, private sector collaboration, and regulatory strengthening** reflects broader economic themes like **infrastructure development, climate action, and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)**—topics frequently tested in exams. Questions may probe the **role of public-private partnerships in energy projects**, the **impact of nuclear power on carbon neutrality**, or the **governance structure of nuclear regulation**, testing candidates’ understanding of **policy frameworks, technological advancements, and economic implications**. Additionally, the mission underscores **India’s strategic shift toward cleaner energy**, a critical area for **financial institutions** evaluating long-term investments in renewable and nuclear energy sectors.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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