New Delhi: India is set to bring major reforms in its nuclear energy sector with the introduction of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to liberalize the civilian nuclear sector, ending government monopoly and overhauling existing regulations. Once passed, the SHANTI Bill will repeal both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
Key Significance of SHANTI Bill
The SHANTI Bill is seen as a game-changer for India’s nuclear power landscape, potentially allowing foreign investment and partnerships in the civilian nuclear sector. Currently, India is seeking international collaboration to expand its nuclear capacity, especially to provide baseload power alternatives to coal-based plants and support its renewable energy targets.
Foreign sovereign funds, particularly from West Asia, have already expressed interest in partially financing India’s nuclear power projects. The bill also opens doors for participation in the manufacturing value chain of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are considered crucial for making nuclear energy commercially competitive in the future.
Changes Brought by the Law
If enacted, the bill will allow Indian private companies to:
- Build nuclear power plants and reactors.
- Own and operate these facilities independently.
- Apply for licenses to manage or decommission nuclear plants.
Previously, only government enterprises or joint ventures with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India could perform these functions. Under the new law, plant operators will bear full liability in case of nuclear accidents, while equipment suppliers will remain legally insulated from such responsibilities.
The SHANTI Bill is expected to accelerate nuclear energy deployment, attract foreign capital, and make India a more competitive player in global nuclear technology.
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