New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh presented the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, in Parliament on Monday. This initiative marks a significant move to allow private sector participation in the nuclear industry, aimed at achieving 100 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

The proposed legislation seeks to nullify the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, replacing them with a singular, cohesive law that meets India’s current and future energy demands.

As outlined in the Bill’s rationale, ongoing research and development have enabled India to achieve self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel cycle and manage its nuclear power program responsibly. With this solid foundation, the government envisions a substantial increase in nuclear capacity to enhance clean energy security and provide dependable round-the-clock power for emerging requirements such as data centers and future-ready applications.

The proposed legislation aligns closely with India’s long-term energy and climate objectives, detailing a roadmap for decarbonization by 2070. To fulfill these goals, the Bill underscores the importance of more fully utilizing domestic nuclear resources and promoting active involvement from both public and private sectors, while positioning India as a key player in the global nuclear energy landscape.

At an operational level, the Bill establishes guidelines for licensing and safety authorization for designated individuals engaged in nuclear energy production or usage, along with explicit grounds for suspension or cancellation. It aims to regulate the application of nuclear and radiation technologies across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, industry, and research, while exempting research, development, and innovation activities from licensing mandates, as per an official statement.

The Bill also proposes a modernized civil liability framework for nuclear damage, grants legal status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and fortifies safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness mechanisms. It includes provisions for the establishment of new institutional frameworks, such as an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, Claims Commissioners, and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for severe nuclear damage incidents, with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity serving as the appellate authority, the statement noted.

By introducing this Bill, the government has indicated its commitment to modernizing nuclear governance in accordance with India’s energy transition, technological advancements, and international commitments. The proposed legislation seeks to balance the growth of nuclear energy with safety, accountability, and public interest, integrating nuclear power into the broader national initiative for energy security and a sustainable, lower-carbon future, the statement concluded.