SHANTI Bill 2025: India Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Participation for Clean Energy Push

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, by Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, marks a historic reform in India’s nuclear energy sector. This landmark legislation aims to repeal the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, ending the long-standing state monopoly and enabling regulated private sector involvement in nuclear power generation.

What is the SHANTI Bill 2025?

Approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2025, the SHANTI Bill (full name: Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025) creates a unified, modern legal framework for nuclear energy. It replaces outdated laws to attract investment, boost innovation, and support India’s ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047—a key pillar for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The bill was tabled amid the Winter Session of Parliament and passed in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2025, despite opposition walkouts and calls for scrutiny.

Key Provisions of SHANTI Bill 2025

• Private Sector Entry: Allows Indian private companies (not foreign-controlled entities) to obtain licences for building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear power plants. Ends the exclusive dominance of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).
• Sensitive Activities Reserved: Fuel enrichment, reprocessing of spent fuel, and heavy water production remain under strict government control.
• Reformed Liability Regime: Introduces a pragmatic civil nuclear liability framework, limiting supplier liability and addressing past concerns that deterred foreign vendors.
• Regulatory Strengthening: Grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and establishes mechanisms like the Nuclear Damage Claims Commission.
• Promotion of Innovation: Encourages R&D in nuclear technology, small modular reactors (SMRs), and non-power applications (healthcare, agriculture, industry).

Dr. Jitendra Singh introducing the SHANTI Bill in Lok Sabha:

Significance and Benefits

• Energy Security: Nuclear power provides reliable, round-the-clock clean energy, complementing renewables like solar and wind.
• Investment Boost: Opens multi-billion-dollar opportunities for domestic and global players in engineering, manufacturing, and technology.
• Climate Goals: Supports India’s decarbonisation strategy amid rising demand from AI, data centres, and manufacturing.
• Current Capacity: India has 25 operational reactors (8,880 MW); 17 more under construction.

The bill aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of scaling nuclear energy while maintaining stringent safety and security standards.

Debates and Concerns

Opposition parties criticised the bill for potential risks in privatising a sensitive sector, dilution of liability protections, and insufficient parliamentary scrutiny. Some MPs demanded referral to a standing committee.

Despite debates, the government emphasised robust safeguards and alignment with international best practices.

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