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Context:
The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, also called the SHANTI Bill (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), is the largest nuclear sector reform since 1962, aiming to modernise governance, safety, liability, and private-sector participation in India’s nuclear energy sector.
Key Objectives
- Enable large-scale nuclear expansion and achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047.
- Attract private and global investment across the nuclear value chain.
- Modernise regulatory oversight for safety, licensing, and operations.
- Reform liability and insurance rules aligned with international norms.
Ministry
- Introduced by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Regulatory reforms include the creation of an independent nuclear safety authority.
Current Legal Framework (Before SHANTI Bill)
- Atomic Energy Act, 1962 – governs nuclear energy broadly.
- Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLND Act) – defines liability, but ambiguous and restrictive for private participation.
- Limitations: Fragmented laws, unclear liability, restricted private sector involvement.
Key Features of SHANTI Bill
1. Private Sector Participation
- Allows private companies to enter exploration, fuel fabrication, equipment manufacturing, and potentially plant operations.
- Opens the nuclear value chain to domestic and global investors.
2. Unified Legal Framework
- Consolidates outdated laws into a streamlined system covering:
- Licensing
- Safety compliance
- Operations
3. Nuclear Liability Reforms
- Clear operator-supplier responsibilities.
- Insurance-backed liability caps with government backstopping.
- Brings liability rules in line with global norms.
4. Independent Regulatory Authority
- A new nuclear safety authority to ensure transparent, professional, and globally benchmarked oversight.
5. Dedicated Nuclear Tribunal
- Specialised dispute resolution for liability and contractual issues.
6. Support for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Encourages R&D and deployment of SMRs for industrial and grid-scale decarbonisation.
