Mumbai, May 29 — The PC Saxena Auditorium at IIT Bombay buzzed with anticipation as the India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 (INEF-2026) opened. It wasn’t just another technical conference — it felt like a turning point in India’s energy journey.
The welcome address by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, framed the event as more than an academic exercise. “This is about shaping a stakeholder platform that covers all dimensions of nuclear energy,” he said, underlining IIT Bombay’s growing role in nuclear initiatives.
Prof. Suneet Singh followed with a contextual overview of IITB’s nuclear research, reminding the audience that academia is not just a spectator but a driver of innovation.
Then came Dr. S. Shamasundar, MD of ProSIM, who set the tone for the forum. He spoke of the urgency of building a holistic ecosystem — one that integrates policy, technology, and industry. His words resonated with the audience: “This initiative can catalyze a holistic ecosystem that encompasses policy and policy-shaping.”
Thorium Dreams and Global Lessons
The spotlight, however, belonged to Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He spoke with conviction about India’s thorium reserves. “Here is a chance for India to be a global clean energy provider rather than a vulnerable energy importer,” he said.
Drawing parallels with China’s success in pebble-bed reactors, Kakodkar urged India to accelerate its third stage thorium cycle. He championed molten salt reactors (MSRs) as the future, calling for an “intense R&D mission to advance the third stage and deploy TMSRs within the next 10 to 15 years.”
Regulation and the Shanti Act
If Kakodkar’s speech was about vision, D.K. Shukla, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), grounded the discussion in regulation. He explained how India’s nuclear laws have evolved since 1948, culminating in the Shanti Act, which now allows private sector participation in nuclear R&D and innovation.
“Eligibility is one part,” Shukla cautioned. “You can apply for a license, but you must qualify for it — proving capability across design, safety, waste management, and quality assurance for the entire plant lifecycle.”
Industry’s Responsibility
Industry voices, including Anil Parab of L&T, reinforced the importance of professional culture. “Nuclear technology is a non-forgiving enterprise,” Kakodkar had warned earlier, and Parab echoed the sentiment. Corporate responsibility, safety, and engineering excellence were identified as non-negotiables.
The Larger Narrative
What made INEF-2026 compelling was the interplay of voices — academia urging innovation, regulators ensuring safety, industry pledging responsibility, and scientists dreaming of thorium-powered independence.
The forum explored near-term opportunities like brownfield deployment at retiring coal plants, micro-reactors for remote areas, and hydrogen co-production. But the larger story was clear: India must move from being an energy importer to an energy exporter, with thorium as its trump card.
As discussions continue, the forum is expected to shape not just technical pathways but the very narrative of India’s clean energy future.
Report: Umesh Kumar Shimladka
Keywords: India Nuclear Forum 2026, India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026, India Nuclear Forum, Thorium energy, Molten salt reactors, PHWR technology, Fast breeder reactors, Shanti Act, Private sector participation, Nuclear safety standards, Brownfield deployment, Hydrogen co-production, Micro-reactors, Energy independence