India's Parliament Winter Session 2025 commenced on December 1, 2025 and ran until December 19, 2025. The session saw the introduction and passing of landmark legislation. The most significant was the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, which replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. The Bill allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to generate nuclear energy under central government licences. The SHANTI Bill was tabled in Lok Sabha on December 15, passed on December 17, cleared by Rajya Sabha on December 18, and received Presidential assent on December 20. The liability framework introduces a tiered structure ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on plant capacity. The session also witnessed passage of a Bill to replace the MGNREGS Act, insurance law amendments, tobacco excise duty bills, and financial reform legislation. In total, 10 Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and 8 Bills were passed by both Houses during the session. The opening of the Winter Session signalled a heavy legislative agenda focused on energy transition, economic reform, and labour welfare.
Parliament Winter Session 2025 Begins: 10 Bills Introduced on Opening Day Including Nuclear Energy Reform
India's Parliament Winter Session 2025 commenced on December 1, 2025 and ran until December 19, 2025. The session saw the introduction and passing of landmark legislation. The most significant was the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, which replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. The Bill allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to generate nuclear energy under central government licences. The SHANTI Bill was tabled in Lok Sabha on December 15, passed on December 17, cleared by Rajya Sabha on December 18, and received Presidential assent on December 20. The liability framework introduces a tiered structure ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on plant capacity. The session also witnessed passage of a Bill to replace the MGNREGS Act, insurance law amendments, tobacco excise duty bills, and financial reform legislation. In total, 10 Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and 8 Bills were passed by both Houses during the session. The opening of the Winter Session signalled a heavy legislative agenda focused on energy transition, economic reform, and labour welfare.
Key facts
- Parliament Winter Session 2025 ran from December 1 to 19 with 10 Bills introduced.
- The SHANTI Bill replaced the Atomic Energy Act 1962 allowing private nuclear energy generation.
- Private companies can now generate nuclear energy under central government licences.
- The nuclear liability framework ranges from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on plant capacity.
- Eight Bills were passed by both Houses during the session.
- Other legislation covered MGNREGS replacement, insurance reforms, and tobacco excise.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Nuclear energy roadmap in Union Budget — Both address the government's policy push to expand India's nuclear energy sector through structural reforms.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of the SHANTI Bill 2025 introduced in Parliament's Winter Session 2025 for India's nuclear energy sector.
Answer (50 words):
The SHANTI Bill 2025, passed during Parliament's Winter Session (December 1-19, 2025), replaces the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010. It permits Indian private companies to generate nuclear energy under central licences, with tiered liability from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore per plant.
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Source: PRS India / PIB / World Nuclear News / SCC Online / DD News
Frequently asked questions
What is the SHANTI Bill, 2025 and what does it replace?
The SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Bill, 2025 is a landmark nuclear energy law passed during Parliament's Winter Session 2025. It replaced the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, allowing Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to generate nuclear energy under central government licences.
What is the nuclear liability framework established under the SHANTI Bill?
The SHANTI Bill established a nuclear liability framework ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore depending on the capacity of the nuclear plant. This replaces the earlier liability provisions under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
When did Parliament's Winter Session 2025 take place and how many bills were introduced?
Parliament's Winter Session 2025 ran from December 1 to December 19, 2025. Ten bills were introduced on the opening day, and eight bills were passed by both Houses during the session.
What was the significance of the Parliament Winter Session 2025 for private sector participation in nuclear energy?
For the first time, the SHANTI Bill, 2025 opened nuclear energy generation to Indian private companies, including their joint ventures with government entities, subject to central government licensing. Previously, nuclear energy was exclusively under government control under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Which other major reforms were covered in Parliament's Winter Session 2025 besides the SHANTI Bill?
Besides the SHANTI Bill, Parliament's Winter Session 2025 covered legislation on the replacement of MGNREGS, insurance sector reforms, and changes to tobacco excise duty, among other bills introduced and passed during the session.
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