AERB grants operating licence to NFC-Kota fuel facility
India’s nuclear fuel production capability has taken a significant step forward, with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granting an operating licence to the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) facility at Kota, Rajasthan. The plant is designed to supply fuel for the country’s 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
In an order dated April 24, 2026, AERB Chairman A. K. Balasubrahmanian authorised Nuclear Fuel Complex-Kota (NFC-Kota) to begin regular operations for manufacturing fuel bundles. The facility has a licensed annual capacity of 500 metric tonnes of natural uranium dioxide (UO₂) fuel bundles.
The approval follows the Consent for Hot Commissioning issued in November 2025. NFC, headquartered in Hyderabad, had submitted its application for an operating licence in March 2026. The authorisation also covers the safe handling, disposal, and transfer of radioactive waste, and is valid until April 30, 2031.
AERB carried out a detailed safety assessment under its regulatory framework. As the facility processes natural uranium, it was classified as a low-hazard installation and evaluated under a graded Tier-I review. The Nuclear Facilities Safety Committee-2 (NFSC-2) reviewed the project, with all safety parameters found to be compliant.
The licence includes conditions such as adherence to the approved Quality Assurance Program, reporting of safety-significant events, and submission of periodic health physics reports. It is non-transferable and subject to modification, suspension, or revocation under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act.
NFC-Kota has been developed to meet fuel requirements for India’s 700 MWe PHWR fleet, including reactors at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata, and is part of the country’s nuclear fuel supply chain.
The featured photograph is for representation only.