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NPCIL to Rework Bharat Small Reactor Tender in Line with New SHANTI Act

State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is set to revise its tender for Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) to bring it in line with the recently enacted SHANTI Act, a landmark law that enables private sector participation in India’s nuclear power segment.

NPCIL had issued a request for proposal (RFP) in December 2024, inviting bids from both public sector and private companies for the development of 220 MW BSRs. The tender outlined a framework for industry participation under the existing legal regime. The company has now extended the deadline for submission of proposals to March 2026 as it undertakes revisions to the tender structure.

The original RFP was framed in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. However, Parliament last month passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, which formally opens the nuclear power sector to private participation.

“In view of the revised statutory framework, NPCIL intends to rework the underlying business model to ensure complete alignment with the provisions and objectives of the SHANTI Act,” the company said in a statement.

Separately, state-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has indicated its willingness to finance nuclear power projects, subject to the government establishing a clear and comprehensive policy framework. Speaking on Thursday, PFC Chairperson Parminder Chopra said that funding nuclear projects would require detailed assessment of project viability and revenue visibility, including clarity on fuel supply arrangements.