In an important moment for India’s nuclear power program, RM Nachamma has created history by becoming the first woman Chief Superintendent to oversee the operations of a functional nuclear power plant at Kaiga in Karnataka under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

Her appointment is not only a major achievement for the organization but also for India’s broader effort to expand clean, reliable nuclear energy, as the country targets achieving 100 gigawatt nuclear capacity by the year 2047.
Nachamma has taken charge as the Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 in Karnataka from March 15, 2026, making her the head of the operations, maintenance and engineering support divisions of the operational nuclear reactor complex.
This role is considered one of the most technically intense and responsible positions in the nuclear power ecosystem, which requires round-the-clock monitoring of reactor operation, safety systems and plant performance.
For NPCIL’s workforce of 10,000 people, having a woman leader as the Chief Superintendent of an operational reactor is a major achievement. In the organization with about 10,000 employees, only about 900 are women, which highlights the structural gender imbalance that still exists in highly specialized sectors.

About RM Nachamma

Nachamma has had a career of more than 35 years in nuclear power plants, known for technical excellence, operational depth and consistent leadership.
A graduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Madras, she secured a university rank in the year 1990. She joined NPCIL in the year 1991 and soon made her mark, receiving the Vikram Sarabhai Award for topping the second batch of NPCIL’s engineer trainees.
Over the past several decades, she has worked in many important roles at the Madras Atomic Power Station and Kaiga Generating Station Units 1 and 2 and has gained practical experience in operations, maintenance and engineering works.
Her contributions were formally recognized with the NPCIL Special Contribution Award in the years 2010, 2014 and 2017, reflecting consistent impact rather than isolated achievements.

About the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

NPCIL, which was established under the Companies Act 1956 in September, 1987, is a wholly owned Government of India company responsible for designing, building and operating nuclear power reactors for electricity generation.
It operates 24 reactors with a capacity of 8,180 MWe as of February, 2026, showing significant growth since its early years.

About the major operational nuclear power plants of the country

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), Tamil Nadu: 2 x 1,000 MWe (Russian PWRs).
Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra: 2 x 160 MWe (BWRs) and 2 x 540 MWe (PHWRs).
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rawatbhata: 6 operating units (PHWRs).
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat: 2 x 220 MWe, along with a new 700 MWe unit.
Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka: 4 x 220 MWe.
Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu: 2 x 220 MWe.
Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttar Pradesh: 2 x 220 MWe.