New Delhi, March 28 -- The recently announced nuclear mission aims to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy by 2047, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh told the Parliament on Thursday.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the MoS said this constitutes 10 per cent of India's total energy needs. To achieve this, the government has taken a bold step by opening the nuclear sector to private players. Dr Singh said the move was "previously considered unthinkable".

"This is a historic decision that breaks past taboos. The nuclear programme has traditionally operated behind a veil of secrecy, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have now paved the way for private sector ...