The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025. The landmark legislation repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, consolidating India's nuclear legal framework for the first time in over six decades. The most transformative provision allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to obtain licences for nuclear energy generation, nuclear fuel handling, and equipment manufacturing — including uranium conversion and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Core sensitive activities such as enrichment of nuclear material beyond the threshold, production of heavy water, and spent fuel management beyond on-site storage remain exclusively under government (Department of Atomic Energy) control. The Bill grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as an independent nuclear safety regulator — a long-pending reform demanded by experts. A graded liability structure replaces the previous flat cap, with liability limits ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on the type and capacity of the nuclear installation. The legislation is central to India's commitment to scaling nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition and 'net zero by 2070' pledge. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on December 17 and Rajya Sabha on December 18, receiving Presidential assent on December 20, 2025.
SHANTI Bill 2025 Introduced in Lok Sabha: India Opens Nuclear Energy to Private Sector, Replaces 63-Year-Old Atomic Energy Act
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025. The landmark legislation repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, consolidating India's nuclear legal framework for the first time in over six decades. The most transformative provision allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to obtain licences for nuclear energy generation, nuclear fuel handling, and equipment manufacturing — including uranium conversion and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Core sensitive activities such as enrichment of nuclear material beyond the threshold, production of heavy water, and spent fuel management beyond on-site storage remain exclusively under government (Department of Atomic Energy) control. The Bill grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as an independent nuclear safety regulator — a long-pending reform demanded by experts. A graded liability structure replaces the previous flat cap, with liability limits ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on the type and capacity of the nuclear installation. The legislation is central to India's commitment to scaling nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition and 'net zero by 2070' pledge. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on December 17 and Rajya Sabha on December 18, receiving Presidential assent on December 20, 2025.
Key facts
- SHANTI Bill 2025 was tabled in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025 to reform India's nuclear energy framework.
- It repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Private companies can obtain licences for nuclear power generation and uranium enrichment up to specified limits.
- AERB was granted statutory recognition as an independent nuclear safety regulator.
- Graded liability ranges from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on installation type and capacity.
- The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha (Dec 17), Rajya Sabha (Dec 18), and received Presidential assent (Dec 20).
Mains angle
Q: Critically examine the SHANTI Bill, 2025 and its implications for India's nuclear energy governance and 2070 net-zero goal.
Answer (50 words):
The SHANTI Bill, tabled 15 December 2025, repeals the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010, opens generation and fuel handling to private firms, statutorily recognises AERB, and grades liability from 100 crore to 3,000 crore rupees, backing India's 100-gigawatt-by-2047 nuclear target and 2070 net-zero pledge.
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What is the full form of the SHANTI Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha to replace India's older nuclear energy laws?
The SHANTI Bill is the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025 and seeks to replace the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 with a newer legal framework for India's nuclear energy sector.
Frequently asked questions
What does SHANTI stand for and when was the Bill introduced in Parliament?
SHANTI stands for Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, passed by both Houses, and received Presidential assent on December 20, 2025.
Which existing laws does the SHANTI Bill repeal?
The SHANTI Bill repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, consolidating India's nuclear legal framework for the first time in over six decades.
What is the most significant change introduced by the SHANTI Bill regarding the private sector?
For the first time, the SHANTI Bill allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to obtain licences for nuclear power generation, nuclear fuel management, and equipment manufacturing up to specified limits.
What is the AERB and what role does it play under the SHANTI Bill?
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is India's nuclear safety authority. Under the SHANTI Bill, it has been granted statutory recognition as an independent nuclear safety regulator, giving it greater autonomy and legal standing.
What is the graded nuclear liability structure introduced by the SHANTI Bill?
The SHANTI Bill introduces a graded liability system ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on the type and capacity of the nuclear installation, replacing the earlier flat liability cap under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
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