Nuclear Technology is a scientific and engineering concept that utilizes the immense energy released from the reactions of atomic nuclei. It relies on two primary mechanisms: nuclear fission, the process of splitting heavy atomic nuclei like Uranium-235, and nuclear fusion, the process of combining lighter nuclei. The scientific foundation began with the discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel and the Curies in the late 19th century. The key breakthrough was the discovery of nuclear fission by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann in 1938. Its initial application was focused on defense, culminating in the atomic bomb during 1939-1945. The first electricity from a nuclear reactor was generated on December 20, 1951, at the EBR-I experimental station in the USA.
In power generation, the technology works by using controlled nuclear fission to create a self-sustaining chain reaction, which releases heat to boil water and drive a turbine for electricity. In India, the concept is governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, which empowers the Central Government to regulate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. It also connects to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which established a no-fault liability regime for compensation in case of a nuclear incident. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962, was amended in 2015 to allow "Government companies" and joint ventures to participate in nuclear power generation, moving beyond the Central Government's exclusive control. Further amendments to both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, are currently being considered to encourage private sector investment as India targets 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.