A parliamentary panel has recommended priority-based funding for the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research to scale up uranium and rare metal exploration, warning that current allocations risk future fuel shortages for India’s nuclear programme.
In a report tabled in both Houses of Parliament, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change flagged inadequate financial support for uranium exploration activities and urged corrective measures.
The panel recommended that the full shortfall of Rs 118.18 crore in AMDER’s capital allocation be restored at the revised estimate stage for 2026–27 to ensure continuity of exploration efforts.
It signaled that uranium discovery and resource delineation are long-gestation processes, with a lead time of eight to twelve years between initial exploration and eventual mine production.
Any reduction in present-day investment, the panel cautioned, would have long-term consequences for the country’s energy security.
“Any reduction in exploration investment today will translate into a fuel supply bottleneck for India’s nuclear programme a decade hence,” the report stated.
The committee stressed that sustained and adequate funding for AMDER’s activities is critical for ensuring a stable domestic supply of nuclear fuel, aligning with India’s long-term energy security objectives.
It also highlighted the strategic importance of rare metal exploration, noting that such resources are essential for advanced technologies and clean energy transitions, further reinforcing the need for enhanced investment in the sector.
The panel’s observations come amid growing emphasis on strengthening domestic capabilities in critical minerals and reducing dependence on imports in the energy and technology sectors.
By prioritising funding for exploration, the committee indicated, India can better position itself to meet future energy demands while supporting the expansion of its nuclear power programme.
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