The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is a wholly-owned Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), which is an institution responsible for the generation of electricity from nuclear power. It was established in September 1987 as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956. The primary objective for its creation was to undertake the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of atomic power stations for electricity generation. This was done in pursuance of the schemes and programmes of the Government of India under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
NPCIL works by designing, constructing, commissioning, and operating nuclear power reactors across India. Until the establishment of Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) in October 2003, NPCIL was the sole body responsible for India's commercial nuclear power plants. NPCIL is administered by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which is the nodal ministry for India's nuclear program. It also holds an equity participation in BHAVINI, which implements the Fast Breeder Reactors programme.
A significant recent change involves the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, which was enacted recently and allows for private participation in the nuclear energy sector. This new legislation is causing NPCIL to rework its tenders for the Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), which were originally framed under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. Furthermore, in a January 2025 development, NPCIL restructured its joint venture with National Thermal Power Limited (NTPC), called Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), by increasing its shareholding to 51%. NPCIL currently operates 24 commercial nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 8780 MW.