The Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 on December 17, 2025, by voice vote amid a walkout by opposition MPs who demanded its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or a Standing Committee for deeper scrutiny. The Bill was tabled on December 15 and approved in the lower house two days later. It repeals two foundational laws — the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — replacing them with a single consolidated legislation aligned with India's 21st-century energy requirements. The most transformative provision allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to obtain licences to generate nuclear power, handle nuclear fuel, and manufacture nuclear equipment — including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Sensitive activities such as weapons-related nuclear processes remain exclusively under state control. The Bill grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), strengthening its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy. A graded liability framework replaces the earlier uniform statutory cap on operator liability, addressing a key concern that had deterred international reactor suppliers. MoS Jitendra Singh presented the Bill in the Rajya Sabha the same day, describing it as 'landmark legislation'. The SHANTI Act aligns with India's target to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070.
Lok Sabha Passes SHANTI Bill 2025: India Opens Nuclear Energy Sector to Private Participation Amid Opposition Walkout
The Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 on December 17, 2025, by voice vote amid a walkout by opposition MPs who demanded its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or a Standing Committee for deeper scrutiny. The Bill was tabled on December 15 and approved in the lower house two days later. It repeals two foundational laws — the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 — replacing them with a single consolidated legislation aligned with India's 21st-century energy requirements. The most transformative provision allows Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities to obtain licences to generate nuclear power, handle nuclear fuel, and manufacture nuclear equipment — including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Sensitive activities such as weapons-related nuclear processes remain exclusively under state control. The Bill grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), strengthening its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy. A graded liability framework replaces the earlier uniform statutory cap on operator liability, addressing a key concern that had deterred international reactor suppliers. MoS Jitendra Singh participated in the Rajya Sabha discussion on December 18, 2025, when the House passed the Bill. The SHANTI Act aligns with India's target to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070.
Key facts
- Lok Sabha passed the SHANTI Bill 2025 on December 17, 2025 by voice vote amid opposition walkout.
- Opposition demanded referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee or Standing Committee for scrutiny.
- The Bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Indian private companies can now obtain licences for nuclear power generation and fuel handling.
- AERB received statutory recognition strengthening its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy.
- MoS Jitendra Singh participated in the Rajya Sabha discussion on December 18, 2025, when the House passed the Bill.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Government's futuristic roadmap for nuclear energy in Union Budget 2025-26 — The SHANTI Bill 2025 operationalises this roadmap by opening nuclear power to private participation and targeting 100 GW by 2047.
Mains angle
Q: Analyse the key provisions of SHANTI Bill 2025 and its implications for India's nuclear sector.
Answer (50 words):
The Lok Sabha passed SHANTI Bill 2025 on December 17, 2025 by voice vote amid opposition walkout. It repeals the Atomic Energy Act 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010, allowing private participation in nuclear generation, fuel handling and equipment manufacturing; grants AERB statutory status, targets 100 GW by 2047.
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What is the main significance of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025?
The SHANTI Bill, 2025 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2025 and by the Rajya Sabha on 18 December 2025. It replaces and modernises key parts of India's nuclear legal framework and permits private companies to participate in specified nuclear-sector activities under regulatory oversight, including plant operations, power generation and equipment manufacturing.
Source: World Nuclear News / The Wire / PRS India / DD News / NucNet
Frequently asked questions
What is the SHANTI Bill 2025 and when was it passed by Lok Sabha?
SHANTI stands for Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India. The Lok Sabha passed the SHANTI Bill 2025 by voice vote on December 17, 2025, two days after it was tabled on December 15.
Which existing laws does the SHANTI Bill replace?
The SHANTI Bill repeals two foundational laws: the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. It replaces both with a single consolidated legislation governing India's nuclear energy sector.
What is the significance of the SHANTI Bill for private sector participation in nuclear energy?
The SHANTI Bill allows Indian private companies to obtain licences for nuclear power generation and fuel handling for the first time. Previously, the nuclear sector was exclusively under government control; this reform opens it to private investment to accelerate India's clean energy transition.
What changes does the SHANTI Bill bring to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)?
The SHANTI Bill grants AERB statutory recognition, strengthening its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy. This enhances the regulatory body's authority to oversee nuclear safety without government interference.
Why did the opposition oppose the SHANTI Bill in Parliament?
Opposition MPs staged a walkout demanding the SHANTI Bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or a Standing Committee for deeper scrutiny. They raised concerns about nuclear safety, private sector accountability, and the speed of passage without detailed parliamentary review.
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