Understanding the SHANTI Bill 2025: Key Insights on the New Nuclear Energy Legislation and Its Implications
The Lok Sabha has passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill (SHANTI), 2025, marking a pivotal change in India’s civil nuclear framework. The legislation, introduced by Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh, received approval through a voice vote during the ongoing Winter Session, despite a walkout by opposition members. This bill is significant as it opens the nuclear energy sector to private participation for the first time, aiming to modernize India’s nuclear policies while ensuring safety and regulatory measures remain intact.
Key Objectives of the SHANTI Bill
The SHANTI Bill aims to accelerate the growth of nuclear energy in India, aligning with the country’s ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The legislation seeks to promote the use of nuclear energy across various sectors, enhancing its applications in line with contemporary technological and economic realities. By addressing existing gaps in the current nuclear framework, the bill intends to strengthen safety measures and regulatory oversight throughout the nuclear lifecycle. This includes not only the construction and operation of nuclear facilities but also the transport, storage, and decommissioning of nuclear materials.
Private Sector Involvement
A groundbreaking aspect of the SHANTI Bill is the introduction of private sector participation in civil nuclear operations, which were previously limited to government entities. The bill allows private companies and joint ventures to obtain authorization for establishing and operating nuclear facilities, as well as for transporting nuclear fuel. However, the government has clarified that sensitive operations, such as uranium enrichment and spent fuel handling, will remain under the exclusive control of the Central government. This ensures that critical safety standards are upheld while encouraging private investment in the nuclear sector.
Enhanced Regulatory Framework
The SHANTI Bill also aims to strengthen the regulatory framework governing nuclear energy in India. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will be granted statutory status, empowering it to inspect facilities, investigate incidents, and issue binding directives. This change is expected to enhance accountability and safety within the nuclear sector. Additionally, the bill introduces a clear licensing regime that defines who can build and operate nuclear facilities, thereby reinforcing regulatory oversight. Safety measures will be legally embedded throughout the lifecycle of nuclear operations, ensuring that activities involving radiation exposure are subject to explicit safety authorizations.
Modifications to Nuclear Liability Provisions
Another significant feature of the SHANTI Bill is the revision of nuclear liability provisions, aimed at fostering investment while minimizing risks. The bill removes the clause that held suppliers of nuclear equipment liable, which is expected to encourage more investment in the sector. Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized that the bill establishes a pragmatic civil liability regime for nuclear damage, ensuring that victims receive full compensation through a multi-layered mechanism. Operator liability has been rationalized with graded caps linked to reactor size, promoting the adoption of newer technologies, such as small modular reactors, while maintaining enforceable provisions for negligence and penalties under the law.
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