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• Aug 05, 2026
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India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 & SHANTI Act | SDTORK Actuators

India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026: SDTORK and the Emerging Opportunities in India's Nuclear Energy Ecosystem

Industry Insight | SDTORK Actuators

India's nuclear energy sector is entering a significant phase of growth and transformation.

With the introduction of the SHANTI Act, 2025, the Government's long-term target of achieving 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2047, the development of indigenous Small Modular Reactors and increasing participation from the engineering and manufacturing ecosystem, India's nuclear industry is moving toward a broader and more integrated supply chain.

This changing landscape was highlighted at the India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026, held on 29–30 May 2026 at IIT Bombay.

SDTORK participated in the forum as part of its continued engagement with India's evolving industrial and energy ecosystem. For a company focused on actuators and valve automation solutions, participation in such an industry platform provides an opportunity to understand emerging technologies, connect with industry stakeholders and gain insights into the engineering requirements that will shape India's future infrastructure.

The event also reflects a larger development taking place across India: the growing importance of domestic engineering and manufacturing capabilities in supporting the country's long-term nuclear energy ambitions.

India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026: Connecting the Nuclear Energy Ecosystem

The India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 brought together stakeholders from across the nuclear energy ecosystem, including industry representatives, technology organisations, researchers, policymakers and other professionals.

Held at IIT Bombay on 29–30 May 2026, the forum focused on building a stronger and more integrated nuclear energy ecosystem in India.

The event's vision aligned with India's long-term objective of significantly increasing nuclear power generation and developing stronger domestic capabilities across technology, manufacturing, research and supply chains.

For engineering companies, these discussions are particularly relevant.

A nuclear power plant is not built around reactor technology alone. It requires a large network of engineered systems, components, control systems, automation technologies, equipment manufacturers, service providers and specialised suppliers.

This makes the development of India's nuclear energy sector relevant to a much wider industrial ecosystem.

Why the SHANTI Act, 2025 Matters

A major development influencing India's nuclear energy landscape is the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025, commonly known as the SHANTI Act, 2025.

The Act received Presidential assent in December 2025 and establishes a consolidated legal framework for the development and peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy and ionising radiation.

One of the important changes introduced through the framework is the enabling of greater private-sector participation in specified nuclear activities, subject to licensing, safety authorisation and applicable regulatory requirements.

This is significant because a larger nuclear programme will require a stronger industrial ecosystem.

However, private participation should not be interpreted as an unrestricted opening of the nuclear sector.

Nuclear energy remains a highly regulated industry. Equipment and systems used in specific nuclear applications must meet the applicable technical, safety, quality, qualification and regulatory requirements.

For engineering manufacturers, the opportunity is therefore closely connected to capability development, quality systems and long-term technical preparedness.

India's 100 GWe Nuclear Energy Vision

India has set an ambitious long-term target of reaching 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

The Nuclear Energy Mission also includes the development of indigenous Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, creating opportunities for research, engineering, manufacturing and supply-chain development.

Achieving such a scale will require significant expansion across India's nuclear ecosystem.

This includes:

• Nuclear power generation technologies

• Engineering and EPC capabilities

• Mechanical equipment

• Electrical systems

• Instrumentation

• Automation

• Valves and actuators

• Pumps and piping systems

• Control systems

• Testing and qualification

• Maintenance and lifecycle support

• Specialised manufacturing

The growth of these areas can create opportunities for Indian engineering companies that are prepared to meet the technical and quality expectations of critical industries.

Where Actuators Fit Into Industrial and Nuclear Applications

Actuators are an important part of automated valve systems.

In industrial environments, actuators enable valves and dampers to perform controlled movements for applications such as isolation, flow management, process control and system operation.

Depending on the specific plant design and application, automated valves can have roles across areas such as water systems, cooling systems, steam systems, process systems and ventilation.

Electric and pneumatic actuators can provide controlled movement based on the requirements of the automation system.

However, it is important to distinguish between general industrial actuator applications and nuclear-qualified applications.

The use of an actuator in a nuclear facility depends on factors such as:

• System function

• Safety classification

• Operating conditions

• Environmental conditions

• Qualification requirements

• Design specifications

• Procurement requirements

• Applicable regulatory standards

Therefore, nuclear-sector opportunities require more than simply adapting an existing industrial product.

They require a detailed understanding of the application and its qualification requirements.

Why Automation Will Matter as India's Nuclear Sector Expands

As nuclear facilities become more advanced, automation will remain an important part of plant operation.

Automated valve systems can support functions such as:

Remote Operation

Actuators can enable controlled operation of valves from designated control systems where the application permits.

Process Isolation

Automated valve operation can support controlled isolation of process systems.

Flow Management

Actuated valves can contribute to the management of fluid movement in applicable systems.

System Integration

Actuators can be integrated into broader industrial automation architectures depending on project requirements.

Operational Monitoring

Modern actuator systems can provide feedback related to valve position and operating status, supporting monitoring and control.

For applications involving critical infrastructure, however, the automation architecture must always be designed according to the specific project requirements.

The Importance of Reliable Actuator Technology

Reliability becomes particularly important when actuators are used in demanding industrial environments.

An actuator is not simply a device that moves a valve.

It is part of a larger engineered system involving the valve, process conditions, control architecture, power or air supply, instrumentation and operating environment.

Important considerations can include:

• Torque or thrust requirements

• Operating frequency

• Valve type

• Fail-safe requirements

• Environmental conditions

• Protection requirements

• Control system compatibility

• Position feedback

• Manual override

• Maintenance requirements

• Lifecycle performance

For manufacturers, this makes application engineering a critical part of delivering effective automation solutions.

Building India's Domestic Nuclear Supply Chain

India's nuclear expansion will also require a strong domestic manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem.

Recent government-industry discussions around implementation of the SHANTI Act have highlighted areas such as manufacturing, supply-chain resilience, capacity building and skilled human resources.

This is an important signal for Indian engineering companies.

A strong domestic ecosystem can help India develop greater capabilities in designing, manufacturing, testing and supporting industrial equipment within the country.

The broader development can be viewed as:

Nuclear Energy Growth → Engineering Demand → Domestic Manufacturing → Stronger Supply Chains → Skilled Workforce → Greater Industrial Capability

For Indian manufacturers, the opportunity is therefore not only about supplying equipment to a particular project.

It is also about building capabilities that can support India's long-term infrastructure requirements.

SDTORK at India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026

For SDTORK, participating in the India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 was an opportunity to engage with an industry that is becoming increasingly important to India's future energy landscape.

The event provided a platform to connect with industry professionals, understand emerging requirements, observe developments across the nuclear ecosystem and explore potential areas of collaboration.

For a company specialising in actuators and valve automation, understanding the direction of India's energy and infrastructure sectors is an important part of long-term technology and capability development.

SDTORK's participation reflects this approach.

Rather than viewing the nuclear sector simply as a new market, the focus is on understanding the engineering challenges, quality expectations, automation requirements and supply-chain developments that will shape the industry.

From Industrial Actuation to Future Engineering Opportunities

SDTORK's core expertise in actuator technology places the company within a broader industrial automation ecosystem.

Actuators are used across industries where controlled movement and automation of valves or dampers are required.

These applications can include:

• Power generation

• Water and wastewater

• Oil and gas

• Chemical processing

• Pharmaceutical industries

• Process industries

• Manufacturing

• HVAC and ventilation

• Energy infrastructure

As India's infrastructure expands, the requirement for dependable valve automation can also grow across multiple sectors.

The emerging nuclear ecosystem is one area where the industry is developing rapidly and where engineering companies can continue learning about future requirements.

Preparing for a More Demanding Engineering Environment

The development of India's nuclear sector also highlights the importance of continuous improvement in manufacturing.

For companies looking toward critical industries, preparation can involve strengthening:

Engineering Capabilities

Developing deeper application knowledge and improving product engineering for demanding operating conditions.

Manufacturing Processes

Maintaining consistent, controlled and repeatable manufacturing processes.

Quality Systems

Strengthening inspection, documentation, traceability and process controls according to customer and application requirements.

Testing Capabilities

Understanding the testing and qualification requirements relevant to targeted applications.

Technical Talent

Building engineering and quality teams with the skills required for increasingly specialised industrial applications.

Lifecycle Support

Developing capabilities for maintenance, spare parts, service and long-term technical support.

These capabilities can benefit manufacturers not only in nuclear-related opportunities but across several critical industrial sectors.

Why Industry Participation Matters

Industry forums are valuable because they bring different parts of the ecosystem together.

Technology developers understand emerging technical possibilities.

Research institutions contribute scientific knowledge.

Government bodies shape policy and regulatory frameworks.

EPC organisations understand project requirements.

Manufacturers contribute engineering and production capabilities.

Automation companies provide technologies that connect equipment with larger control systems.

Events such as the India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 provide a common platform for these different stakeholders to interact.

For SDTORK, participation in such an event is part of staying connected with the wider engineering ecosystem and understanding where industrial automation is heading.

The Road Ahead for India's Nuclear Energy Sector

The nuclear energy opportunity in India is developing over the long term.

The SHANTI Act has created an enabling framework for greater private-sector participation in specified activities, while India's 100 GWe nuclear capacity vision provides a long-term direction for the industry.

At the same time, the detailed regulatory and implementation framework continues to evolve.

This means companies entering or exploring the nuclear supply chain must approach the sector with patience, technical discipline and a strong understanding of regulatory requirements.

For equipment manufacturers, the priority should be capability before opportunity.

Developing the right engineering knowledge, quality culture, manufacturing discipline and technical infrastructure will be essential for participating responsibly in critical industries.

SDTORK's Perspective

India's nuclear energy programme represents more than an energy-generation opportunity.

It represents the development of an entire industrial ecosystem.

For companies such as SDTORK, this evolution provides an opportunity to engage with new technologies, understand emerging requirements and continue strengthening capabilities in actuator and valve automation solutions.

Our participation at the India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026 at IIT Bombay was an important part of that engagement.

As India's nuclear ecosystem develops, SDTORK will continue to follow industry developments, strengthen its engineering capabilities and explore opportunities to contribute to India's growing industrial and energy infrastructure.

The future of India's nuclear energy sector will require collaboration across government, research, technology, engineering and manufacturing.

And building that future begins with a stronger ecosystem today.

SDTORK Actuators

Actuation. Automation. Reliability.

Electric Actuators | Pneumatic Actuators | Valve Automation | Industrial Actuation Solutions