The India Nuclear Energy Forum (INEF) 2026, organised at IIT Bombay on 29–30 May 2026, brought together approximately 350 participants from more than 180 organisations across India, Denmark, France, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the USA. The forum served as a national platform for policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, researchers, startups, and international experts to discuss strategies for accelerating India's nuclear energy programme and achieving the national target of 100 GWe nuclear power capacity by 2047.
Jointly organized by the Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE), IIT Bombay, the Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability (GESH IIT Bombay), ProSIM R&D Pvt. Ltd., and the India Energy Network, the forum served as a national platform for dialogue on nuclear energy development in the post-SHANTI Bill era.
The inaugural session featured addresses by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay; Prof. Suneet Singh, IIT Bombay; Dr. S. Shamasundar, Managing Director, ProSIM; Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India; Shri D. K. Shukla, Former Chairman, AERB; Dr. A. K. Nayak, Former Head, NCPW, DAE; and Shri Anil Parab, Whole-Time Director, L&T.
Through 12 thematic sessions, participants discussed prospective new nuclear operator concerns and expectations, nuclear supply chains, advanced reactor technologies including SMRs and MMRs, fuel supply, economics, human resource development, startups and MSMEs, collaborative R&D, industry-academia partnerships, and international best practices for nuclear power deployment.
The forum concluded with a Valedictory Session chaired by Prof. Sanjay Mahajani, Professor-in-Charge, GESH IIT Bombay, and graced by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Hon'ble Member, NITI Aayog, as Chief Guest. He emphasized that achieving India's nuclear ambitions will require a coordinated ecosystem involving government, industry, academia, startups, regulators, financial institutions, and international partners, supported by public trust, stable policies, and effective execution.
Reflecting on the success of the forum, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, stated: “INEF 2026 has provided a unique platform for bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of India's nuclear energy expansion. Such collaborative efforts are essential for building the technological capabilities, skilled workforce, and innovation ecosystem needed to support the country's long-term clean energy and energy security goals".
Dr. Anil Kakodkar warned of the Uranium resource depletion and supply chain shocks which are imminent within a decade or two. He suggested that the way out of this conundrum clearly is Thorium, and emphasized increased R&D in Thorium. He took the example of Chinese University efforts in R&D that have resulted in a commercially operational SMR, after decades of research.
Dr. S. Shamasundar, Hon. Director of India Nuclear Forum, and Managing Director, ProSIM R&D Pvt. Ltd Convener of forum, noted: " there is a dire need to create a holistic, sustainable, and robust nuclear energy ecosystem in India comprising of all stake holders. India Nuclear Forum will strive to create such a ecosystem to accelerate India’s vision of 100 GWe of nuclear energy.”
The recommendations emerging from INEF 2026 will be compiled and shared with relevant stakeholders to support India's long-term nuclear energy roadmap and the development of a safe, reliable, and globally competitive nuclear energy ecosystem.