India Extends Deadline for Private-Led Bharat Small Reactor Bids

India is preparing for a major transformation in its nuclear energy sector with the launch of the Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) program. For the first time, the state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has invited private companies to finance and participate in nuclear power generation. The response has been strong, with Reliance Industries, Adani Power, Tata Power, Hindalco Industries, Jindal Steel & Power, and JSW Energy emerging as frontrunners. Several of these groups have already signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), obtained detailed project data, and begun evaluating costs and technical requirements.

The Bharat Small Reactor program is based on compact 220 megawatt pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs). These reactors are smaller versions of India’s existing fleet, designed to be more modular and easier to deploy close to energy-intensive industries. Each project proposal involves twin 220 MWe units, adding up to around 440 MWe per site. The technology uses heavy water as both coolant and moderator, along with natural or slightly enriched uranium fuel. By relying on proven PHWR technology, NPCIL aims to balance safety, reliability, and scalability.

NPCIL has confirmed that Reliance, Hindalco, Tata Power, and JSPL have already completed NDA formalities and collected performance and cost benchmarks. Adani Power and JSW Energy have submitted paperwork that remains under evaluation. Originally, bids for the program were to close on September 30, 2025, but the deadline has now been extended to March 31, 2026. The extension was granted after bidders requested more time to assess land availability, water resources, capital expenditure, and long-term operations and maintenance costs. The additional months will also allow companies to coordinate with state governments on approvals and local support.

As part of the proposal process, bidders identified sixteen potential sites across six states for hosting these twin-reactor projects. Gujarat has emerged as the leading candidate with five possible sites, followed by Madhya Pradesh with four and Odisha with three. Andhra Pradesh has suggested two sites, while Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have one each. NPCIL has already approached the governments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha to provide support for land acquisition, water allocation, and initial site investigations.

The structure of the program is unusual in the nuclear world. NPCIL will retain asset ownership, regulatory responsibility, and day-to-day operational control of the reactors. The private sector, however, must fully finance construction, bear the operating and maintenance expenses, and even cover end-of-life decommissioning. In return, the private partners will secure long-term rights to the electricity generated, which can be used for their own industrial operations. This makes the model particularly attractive for heavy industries such as steel, aluminium, petrochemicals, and cement, which require stable baseload power and seek to reduce dependence on coal.

The decision to invite private financing is widely seen as a strategic policy shift. Until now, private companies in India’s nuclear sector have played only supporting roles as contractors or equipment suppliers. With India targeting 100 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2047, the government and the Atomic Energy Commission are promoting reforms to mobilize private capital for small reactors and modular nuclear power solutions. Legislative amendments are expected to allow commercial participation while reserving safety and operational oversight for NPCIL. The BSR tender serves as a pilot project to test this public-private hybrid model before extending it to small modular reactors (SMRs).

Currently, India operates around 8.8 gigawatts of nuclear capacity, with several large units under construction. The Bharat Small Reactor initiative fits into the broader vision of expanding nuclear power as a clean and reliable alternative to fossil fuels. For companies like Reliance, Adani, Tata, and JSW, the program promises dedicated low-carbon power for energy-hungry plants. For the government, it is an opportunity to accelerate nuclear growth without overburdening public finances, while keeping sensitive operational control firmly in state hands.

The initiative, however, is not without challenges. Nuclear energy requires complex licensing, high safety standards, and long-term waste management. Private investors will need clarity on liability rules, cost recovery, and tariffs to feel secure. Land acquisition, water availability, and local acceptance will remain potential hurdles. Moreover, the financial risks of cost overruns and long construction timelines could deter some companies.

Even so, the Bharat Small Reactor tender represents a landmark experiment. If successful, it will show that private capital and state oversight can work together to scale up nuclear energy in India. It could also provide the stepping stone toward widespread adoption of small modular reactors in the coming decades. By combining industrial demand for clean power with India’s established nuclear expertise, the program signals the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s nuclear journey.