India has taken a transformative step in its energy journey with the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025. The legislation modernizes the country’s nuclear framework, paving the way for private participation while reaffirming national safety, sovereignty, and public accountability.
Modernizing India’s Nuclear Framework
The SHANTI Bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, consolidating regulations under a single, updated legal framework. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) now has statutory status, strengthening oversight and ensuring compliance with both domestic and international safety standards. The Bill also establishes the Atomic Energy Redressal Commission to provide citizens with a faster dispute-resolution mechanism, complementing judicial review.
The legislation reflects India’s commitment to align with global best practices in nuclear governance while retaining strict government control over sensitive activities, including uranium enrichment, spent fuel management, and strategic materials such as fissile material and heavy water.
Objectives and Key Features
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Expand Nuclear Energy Capacity: India aims to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047, contributing nearly 10% of total energy needs. Targets include 22 GW by 2032, 47 GW by 2037, and 67 GW by 2042.
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Private Sector Participation: The Bill allows private companies to operate nuclear facilities, including power plants, fuel fabrication, and research initiatives, under clearly defined government oversight.
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Safety and Regulatory Oversight: Nuclear safety remains uncompromised. The AERB will conduct quarterly inspections during construction, biannual inspections during operations, and five-yearly license renewals, with safety aligned to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) parameters.
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Graded Liability and Compensation: The Bill introduces graded liability caps to encourage private investment without compromising compensation for victims. In cases where damages exceed operator liability, government-backed funds and international conventions ensure full redress.
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Technological Innovation: The SHANTI framework supports advanced reactor technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors, and encourages research applications in healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, and cancer treatment.
Benefits to India
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Reliable, Clean Energy: Nuclear power provides 24×7 clean energy, complementing intermittent renewable sources and powering critical infrastructure such as AI systems and digital networks.
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Energy Security and Sovereignty: Government control over strategic nuclear activities ensures India’s independence in critical technologies while allowing safe private participation in non-sensitive areas.
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Economic Growth: Private participation is expected to attract investment, generate jobs, and foster innovation in both energy and allied sectors.
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Global Leadership in Clean Energy: Modernization and alignment with international best practices strengthen India’s role in the global nuclear energy ecosystem.
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Research and Social Applications: Expanded participation in nuclear science enhances capabilities in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications, benefiting society beyond power generation.
A Forward-Looking Nuclear Roadmap
India currently has nearly 9 GW of nuclear capacity, and the SHANTI Bill provides the legal and institutional framework to accelerate this expansion safely and efficiently. By combining government oversight, private sector innovation, and international collaboration, the Bill positions India as a responsible leader in nuclear energy, capable of delivering sustainable, low-carbon power while maintaining rigorous safety and strategic controls.
The SHANTI Bill is not just a legislative reform—it is a vision for India’s nuclear future, ensuring that growth, innovation, and safety advance hand-in-hand.