Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Allows Major Equipment Erection at Kudankulam Units 5 and 6 on 1 May 2026 After Multi-Tier Safety Review of 1,000 MW(e) VVER Reactors
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board said on 1 May 2026 that it had permitted major equipment erection at Kudankulam Units 5 and 6 after a multi-tier safety review. NPCIL can now install the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators and coolant pumps. The two 1,000 MW(e) VVER units join the staged regulatory path already followed by other Kudankulam units.
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Key Points for RAS
- AERB issued permission on 30 April 2026 for Major Equipment Erection at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 5 and 6.
- The development was reported by PIB Mumbai on 1 May 2026 under the Department of Atomic Energy.
- NPCIL can install the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, coolant pumps and other major plant equipment.
- The approval followed a multi-tier safety review of design and assessment of civil construction progress under the April 2021 First Pour of Concrete permission.
- Units 5 and 6 include advanced safety features under AERB's safety code for light water reactor-based nuclear plants.
- Kudankulam has six VVER pressurised-water reactor units of 1,000 MW(e) each, developed with technical collaboration from the Russian Federation.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board reported on 1 May 2026 that it had issued permission for Major Equipment Erection at Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project on 30 April 2026. The permission allows Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited to install major plant equipment, including the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators and coolant pumps. For civil-services preparation, the decision is important because it marks the movement of two new nuclear units from civil-construction assessment into a more advanced equipment-installation stage under the nuclear regulator's supervision.
AERB said the approval followed satisfactory completion of a multi-tier safety review of the units' design against the safety requirements specified by the regulator. It also assessed the progress of civil construction work carried out under the earlier April 2021 permission for First Pour of Concrete. The release adds that Units 5 and 6 incorporate advanced safety features required by AERB's Safety Code on the Design of Light Water Reactor-based nuclear power plants, aligned with the latest safety requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Kudankulam site is in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and is being established in technical collaboration with the Russian Federation. It consists of six pressurised-water reactor units of VVER design, each with 1,000 MW(e) capacity. Units 1 and 2 have been in operation since 2013 and 2015 respectively. Units 3 and 4 are in an advanced stage of construction and had already received AERB permission for major equipment erection. The 1 May release therefore places Units 5 and 6 within the same regulatory progression, while keeping safety review and staged permission at the centre of India's civil nuclear expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What permission did AERB issue for Kudankulam Units 5 and 6?
It issued permission for Major Equipment Erection, allowing installation of key plant equipment at the two units.
2 Which organisation can now install the major equipment?
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited can install equipment such as the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators and coolant pumps.
3 What safety process preceded the permission?
AERB cited satisfactory completion of a multi-tier safety review of the units' design and assessment of civil construction progress.
4 Where is the Kudankulam project located?
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project is located in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
5 What is the design and capacity of Kudankulam's planned units?
The site has six pressurised-water reactor units of VVER design, each with 1,000 MW(e) capacity.
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