The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17. The Bill replaces 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 landmark reform opens India's nuclear energy sector to limited private participation — Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities may now obtain licences to generate nuclear power, handle nuclear fuel, and engage in equipment manufacturing including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Sensitive activities related to nuclear weapons remain exclusively under government control. The Act grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as the independent nuclear regulator — strengthening its oversight authority. A graded liability framework replaces the previous flat statutory operator liability cap, with limits varying by installation type. The legislation aligns with India's target of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and its 'net zero by 2070' climate pledge. Opposition members walked out demanding referral to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
SHANTI Bill 2025 Passed by Rajya Sabha on December 18: India Opens Nuclear Energy to Private Sector, Replaces Atomic Energy Act 1962
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17. The Bill replaces 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 landmark reform opens India's nuclear energy sector to limited private participation — Indian private companies and their joint ventures with government entities may now obtain licences to generate nuclear power, handle nuclear fuel, and engage in equipment manufacturing including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold. Sensitive activities related to nuclear weapons remain exclusively under government control. The Act grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as the independent nuclear regulator — strengthening its oversight authority. A graded liability framework replaces the previous flat statutory operator liability cap, with limits varying by installation type. The legislation aligns with India's target of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and its 'net zero by 2070' climate pledge. Opposition members walked out demanding referral to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Key facts
- Rajya Sabha passed the SHANTI Bill 2025 on December 18, one day after Lok Sabha passed it.
- The Act repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Indian private companies can obtain licences for nuclear power generation and equipment manufacturing.
- AERB received statutory recognition as India's independent nuclear regulator.
- Graded liability replaces the flat statutory cap, varying by installation type.
- The legislation supports India's target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 and net-zero by 2070.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Government's roadmap for nuclear energy sector in Union Budget 2025-26 — Both address India's policy push to expand nuclear power, including private participation promised in Budget 2025-26.
Mains angle
Q: Critically analyse the SHANTI Act, 2025 and its implications for India's nuclear energy governance, private participation and net-zero 2070 goal.
Answer (50 words):
Rajya Sabha passed the SHANTI Act on 18 December 2025 after Lok Sabha on 17 December, replacing the 1962 Atomic Energy Act and 2010 Civil Liability Act. It permits Indian private companies and joint ventures to generate nuclear power, grants AERB statutory status, introduces graded liability, targeting 100 GW capacity by 2047.
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Frequently asked questions
What does SHANTI stand for and when was the SHANTI Bill 2025 passed by Parliament?
SHANTI stands for Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India. The Lok Sabha passed it on December 17, 2025 and the Rajya Sabha passed it on December 18, 2025.
Which earlier laws does the SHANTI Act 2025 replace?
The SHANTI Act 2025 repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. It consolidates India's nuclear legal framework for the first time in over six decades.
How does the SHANTI Act 2025 change participation in India's nuclear energy sector?
The SHANTI Act opens India's nuclear energy sector to limited private participation for the first time. Indian private companies can now obtain licences for nuclear power generation and equipment manufacturing, whereas previously only government entities could operate in this sector.
What is AERB and what role does it play under the SHANTI Act?
AERB stands for Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, India's nuclear safety regulator. Under the SHANTI Act 2025, AERB received statutory recognition as an independent nuclear regulator, strengthening oversight of all nuclear activities in India.
What is India's nuclear capacity target and net-zero timeline supported by the SHANTI Act?
The SHANTI Act supports India's target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 (India's centenary of independence). It also aligns with India's commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
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