IITs and NITs to launch nuclear tech courses for India's 100 GW target
By TUF News Desk · Published 30 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
India needs roughly 2.5 lakh skilled professionals over the next two decades to staff its nuclear power expansion, and the Centre now plans to turn to its top engineering institutes to train them. IITs, NITs and other leading technical institutes are set to be asked to launch a series of nuclear technology courses, according to a report in The Economic Times on October 30.
The push follows the operationalisation of the SHANTI Act, the law that opened up the nuclear sector, and it is tied directly to India’s target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity.
A Niti Aayog committee is drawing up the framework
Much of the groundwork is being done by an expert committee set up by Niti Aayog and led by J.B. Joshi, a nuclear scientist and Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology. The panel is putting together the architecture for the workforce programme and for a dedicated institute for nuclear technology training, possibly called the Indian Institute of Nuclear Technology.
The committee is expected to submit its final report soon. Once it does, a pitch will go to the Education Ministry, the Department of Science and Technology and other scientific departments.
The numbers explain the urgency. The Central Electricity Authority estimates that India will need at least 13,600 nuclear professionals by 2032 alone, and the requirement grows to about 2.5 lakh over 20 years as capacity scales toward 100 GW. Current training capacity falls well short of that.
Courses from PhD level down to ITI-style training
The plan is not limited to degree programmes. Institutes will be encouraged to offer a spread of courses, from PhDs, BTech and MTech degrees to certificate courses, diplomas and ITI-style training. The idea is to build a workforce at every level, from researchers designing reactor systems to technicians who run and maintain plants.
The coursework is also expected to cover newer reactor technologies, including small modular reactors and fast breeder reactors.
Some IITs have already moved
A few institutes have not waited for the central push. IIT Bombay launched a Nuclear Engineering course after the SHANTI Act was passed. IIT Kanpur already offers BTech and MTech programmes in nuclear science, and IIT Madras has started a summer course in the area. IIT Jammu has been working on nuclear-linked courses, and IIT Gandhinagar is expected to follow.
For students, the practical point is that nuclear engineering could soon become a far more visible option at the undergraduate and postgraduate level than it has been. It has traditionally been a narrow specialisation, offered at only a handful of institutes.
No admission dates, seat numbers or course lists have been announced yet, and students should treat any such detail circulating online with caution until institutes publish it themselves. The official Niti Aayog website is the place to watch for the committee’s report, and individual IIT and NIT admission portals will carry course announcements as they come. Our guide to choosing a university in India explains how to compare a new programme against established branches before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Why are IITs and NITs being asked to start nuclear technology courses?
India has set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity, and meeting it needs about 2.5 lakh skilled professionals over the next 20 years. The courses are meant to build that workforce through the country’s leading technical institutes.
What kinds of nuclear courses could institutes offer?
The plan covers the full range, from PhD, BTech and MTech programmes to certificate courses, diplomas and ITI-style courses, including training in small modular reactors and fast breeder reactors.
Which IITs already offer nuclear-related courses?
IIT Kanpur already offers BTech and MTech programmes in nuclear science, IIT Bombay has launched a Nuclear Engineering course, and IIT Madras has started a summer course. IIT Jammu is working on nuclear-linked courses and IIT Gandhinagar is expected to follow.
When will these courses actually start?
No launch dates have been announced yet. A Niti Aayog expert committee is finalising its report, after which a pitch will be made to the Education Ministry and other departments to get courses started.
Frequently asked questions
Why are IITs and NITs being asked to start nuclear technology courses?
India has set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity, and meeting it needs about 2.5 lakh skilled professionals over the next 20 years. The courses are meant to build that workforce through the country's leading technical institutes.
What kinds of nuclear courses could institutes offer?
The plan covers the full range, from PhD, BTech and MTech programmes to certificate courses, diplomas and ITI-style courses, including training in small modular reactors and fast breeder reactors.
Which IITs already offer nuclear-related courses?
IIT Kanpur already offers BTech and MTech programmes in nuclear science, IIT Bombay has launched a Nuclear Engineering course, and IIT Madras has started a summer course. IIT Jammu is working on nuclear-linked courses and IIT Gandhinagar is expected to follow.
When will these courses actually start?
No launch dates have been announced yet. A Niti Aayog expert committee is finalising its report, after which a pitch will be made to the Education Ministry and other departments to get courses started.
Sources: The Economic Times, Newsbytes