Mains issueGS-3News & Analysis04 November 2026

India's Three-Stage Nuclear Programme and Thorium Utilisation for Clean Energy

An aspirant should be able to articulate the strategic importance, technical aspects, and environmental benefits of India's thorium-based three-stage nuclear program in achieving energy security and decarbonization goals, while also acknowledging safety and regulatory considerations.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

The ongoing symposium highlights the strategic importance of thorium in India's carefully-conceived nuclear program, particularly as the nation seeks to ramp up electricity production while simultaneously decarbonizing its power sector.

Core issue

India's three-stage nuclear program, designed in the 1950s, leverages the nation's significant thorium deposits (25% of world's known reserves) as a potential clean energy source. Thorium, found in coastal states like Kerala, is fertile and must be converted to Uranium-233 in a reactor. Experts from IGCAR and AERB highlighted nuclear energy's role as a reliable, 24/7 baseload power source crucial for decarbonizing India's power sector and meeting growing electricity demand. The symposium emphasized safety, reliability, quality in systems, structures, and components, and the importance of competent manpower in the nuclear sector.

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