The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), one of India's largest planned nuclear power projects, received its site approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and had its foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2025, at Banswara district in Rajasthan. The project will comprise four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) designed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), with a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW. The project is being developed through Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (Ashvini), a joint venture between NPCIL and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), with an estimated investment of ₹42,000 crore. The MBRAPP is part of India's 'fleet mode' nuclear programme, under which ten 700 MWe PHWRs are being built at various sites across the country using uniform design and procurement. Rajasthan already hosts the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata, which is one of India's oldest nuclear plants. The Mahi Banswara project is expected to significantly contribute to Rajasthan's energy security and India's target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Nuclear power, as a low-carbon baseload source, plays a critical role in India's energy transition strategy alongside solar and wind power. Construction on the Banswara units is expected to begin by end of 2025, with commissioning anticipated in the early 2030s.
Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project: India's Largest Nuclear Project Gets Green Signal; PM Modi Laid Foundation Stone in September 2025
The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), one of India's largest planned nuclear power projects, received its site approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and had its foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2025, at Banswara district in Rajasthan. The project will comprise four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) designed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), with a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW. The project is being developed through Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (Ashvini), a joint venture between NPCIL and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), with an estimated investment of ₹42,000 crore. The MBRAPP is part of India's 'fleet mode' nuclear programme, under which ten 700 MWe PHWRs are being built at various sites across the country using uniform design and procurement. Rajasthan already hosts the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata, which is one of India's oldest nuclear plants. The Mahi Banswara project is expected to significantly contribute to Rajasthan's energy security and India's target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Nuclear power, as a low-carbon baseload source, plays a critical role in India's energy transition strategy alongside solar and wind power. Construction on the Banswara units is expected to begin by end of 2025, with commissioning anticipated in the early 2030s.
Key facts
- Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) is India's largest planned nuclear project.
- PM Modi laid its foundation stone on September 25, 2025, in Banswara district, Rajasthan.
- The project will have four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors totalling 2,800 MW capacity.
- It is being developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited, a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC.
- Estimated investment is ₹42,000 crore.
- The project received site approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Government nuclear energy roadmap in Union Budget 2025-26 — The 2024 RAS Mains question on India's nuclear energy roadmap maps directly to MBRAPP — the largest fleet-mode PHWR project that anchors the 100 GW by 2047 target.
Mains angle
Q: The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) is India's largest planned nuclear project. Examine its features and its role in India's energy security strategy.
Answer (50 words):
On 25 September 2025, PM Modi laid MBRAPP's foundation stone in Banswara district following AERB site approval. Comprising four 700 MWe PHWRs totalling 2,800 MW, the ambitious ₹50,000 crore (USD 5.9 billion) project runs via Ashvini, an NPCIL-NTPC joint venture, supporting India's 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047.
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What is the total installed capacity of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP)?
The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project will comprise four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) designed by NPCIL, with a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW. It is India's largest planned nuclear power project.
Source: World Nuclear News / NTPC Press Release / Nucnet / Business Standard / Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) and where is it located?
MBRAPP is India's largest planned nuclear power project, located in Banswara district of Rajasthan near the Mahi river. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid its foundation stone on September 25, 2025, and it will have a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW through four Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
Which company is developing the MBRAPP and what is the estimated investment?
MBRAPP is being developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a joint venture between NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd) and NTPC. The estimated investment is approximately ₹50,000 crore, with commissioning expected in phases by 2035.
What type of reactors will be used in the Mahi Banswara project and what is their capacity?
The project will use four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), designed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Each reactor contributes 700 MW, giving a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW making MBRAPP India's largest planned nuclear project.
Which regulatory body gave site approval for the MBRAPP and why is this significant?
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted site approval for MBRAPP, which is a mandatory clearance before construction can begin on any nuclear facility in India. AERB is India's nuclear safety regulator and its approval certifies that the site meets radiological, geological, and environmental safety standards.
What is the significance of MBRAPP for Rajasthan's energy sector?
MBRAPP will add 2,800 MW of clean baseload nuclear power to Rajasthan, a state that currently depends heavily on thermal and solar energy. The project will also generate 1,623+ direct jobs and position Rajasthan as a key contributor to India's goal of expanding nuclear energy capacity under the civil nuclear programme.
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