President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill on December 20, 2025, making it law the day before India's current affairs date. The Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 15, passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17, and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025. The SHANTI Act repeals two foundational statutes — 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 fabrication (including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold), and nuclear equipment manufacturing. 'Sensitive' activities such as weapons-grade nuclear processes remain exclusively under government control. The Act grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as India's independent nuclear regulator — a long-pending reform addressing concerns about regulatory capture. A graded liability framework calibrated by installation type replaces the previous uniform statutory cap. The SHANTI Act aligns with India's commitment to increase nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 as part of the clean energy transition and 'net zero by 2070' pledge. Opposition members walked out during Lok Sabha voting, demanding referral to a parliamentary committee.
SHANTI Act 2025 Enacted: President Droupadi Murmu Grants Assent on December 20; India's Nuclear Sector Opens to Private Participation
President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill on December 20, 2025, making it law the day before India's current affairs date. The Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 15, passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17, and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025. The SHANTI Act repeals two foundational statutes — 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 fabrication (including uranium conversion, refining, and enrichment up to a government-specified threshold), and nuclear equipment manufacturing. 'Sensitive' activities such as weapons-grade nuclear processes remain exclusively under government control. The Act grants statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as India's independent nuclear regulator — a long-pending reform addressing concerns about regulatory capture. A graded liability framework calibrated by installation type replaces the previous uniform statutory cap. The SHANTI Act aligns with India's commitment to increase nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 as part of the clean energy transition and 'net zero by 2070' pledge. Opposition members walked out during Lok Sabha voting, demanding referral to a parliamentary committee.
Key facts
- President Murmu granted assent to the SHANTI Act on December 20, 2025, making it law.
- The Act was tabled December 15, passed Lok Sabha December 17, and Rajya Sabha December 18.
- It repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Private companies can now obtain licences for nuclear power, fuel fabrication, and equipment manufacturing.
- AERB's statutory recognition addresses long-standing concerns about regulatory capture.
- Graded liability calibrated by installation type replaces the previous uniform statutory cap.
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Which statement is correct about the SHANTI Bill, 2025?
The SHANTI Bill, 2025 concerns India's civil nuclear-energy legal framework. It was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, passed by Parliament, and received presidential assent on December 20, 2025. The other options wrongly describe it as a state electricity, renewable-subsidy, or highway-safety measure.
Source: World Nuclear News / DD News / Holtec International / LegalSynk / LiveLaw / MP-IDSA
Frequently asked questions
What is the SHANTI Act 2025 and which older laws did it repeal?
The SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) is a landmark nuclear law enacted in December 2025. It 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 six decades.
What is the legislative timeline of the SHANTI Act 2025?
The SHANTI Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17, passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18, and received Presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on December 20, 2025.
How does the SHANTI Act change private sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector?
The SHANTI Act allows private companies to obtain licences for nuclear power generation, fuel fabrication, and equipment manufacturing for the first time. This is the most revolutionary change the Act introduces, opening a sector previously restricted to public sector entities.
What is the significance of AERB's statutory recognition under the SHANTI Act?
The SHANTI Act gives statutory recognition to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), addressing long-standing concerns about regulatory capture in India's nuclear sector. This enhances the independence and credibility of nuclear safety oversight.
How does the SHANTI Act change the liability framework for nuclear installations?
The SHANTI Act replaces the previous uniform statutory cap on nuclear liability with a graded liability system calibrated by the type and scale of installation. This more nuanced approach is intended to encourage private investment while maintaining appropriate safety accountability.
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