New Delhi: The amended atomic energy bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, signalling a major policy shift in India’s nuclear sector that could significantly accelerate civil nuclear power generation by opening the field to private participation. Until now, the sector has remained largely the domain of government-owned enterprises.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, tabled by Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh, proposes repealing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010. The bill aims to establish what Singh described as a “pragmatic civil liability regime for nuclear damage” and to grant statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
The proposed law is intended to facilitate large-scale expansion of nuclear energy and radiation-based applications across both power and non-power sectors. It forms a key pillar of India’s ambition to reach 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The framework introduces updated safety norms, a dedicated nuclear tribunal for dispute resolution, and reforms to the liability regime to cap risks and attract domestic and foreign investment.
Under the bill, private companies and joint ventures will be permitted to apply for licences to set up and operate nuclear facilities and transport nuclear fuel. However, sensitive activities such as uranium enrichment, spent fuel management and heavy water production will remain under the exclusive control of the Centre. The government will also retain authority over radioactive substances and radiation-generating equipment to address safety and security concerns.
Singh said the legislation aligns with the broader objective of increasing the share of nuclear energy in India’s energy mix, promoting innovation in nuclear science and technology, and expanding nuclear applications beyond power generation. These include healthcare, food and water security, agriculture, industry, environmental protection, research and innovation, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, while continuing to meet India’s commitments on nuclear safety, security, safeguards and liability.
The amendments are also expected to unlock the long-stalled Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, which has seen limited progress beyond fuel imports due to liability concerns, and pave the way for US reactor construction projects in India.
