{"id":352201,"date":"2025-12-17T19:53:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T14:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=352201"},"modified":"2025-12-22T19:02:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T13:32:30","slug":"stepping-stone-on-nuclear-policy-the-shanti-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/stepping-stone-on-nuclear-policy-the-shanti-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Stepping stone : On nuclear policy, the SHANTI Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> <strong>GS Paper 3 &#8211;<\/strong>Infrastructure ( Energy).<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Nuclear power remains a small but critical part of India\u2019s energy mix, contributing <strong>around 3% of electricity generation<\/strong>. To meet long-term clean energy and climate goals, India plans a major expansion of nuclear capacity. The <strong>SHANTI Bill<\/strong>marks a structural shift in nuclear policy by opening the sector to private participation, revising liability rules, and restructuring regulation, while keeping <strong>sensitive nuclear activities under state control<\/strong>. <strong>Stepping stone : On nuclear policy, the SHANTI Bill.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-352512\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?resize=412%2C273&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Stepping stone : On nuclear policy, the SHANTI Bill\" width=\"412\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?resize=1024%2C680&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Current status of India\u2019s nuclear power sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Present contribution and installed capacity<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Nuclear power contributes <strong>about 3% of India\u2019s electricity<\/strong> and <strong>around 1.5% of installed power capacity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>India currently operates <strong>22 reactors<\/strong> with an installed capacity of <strong>about 6.8\u20138.8 GW<\/strong>, dominated by <strong>Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> Existing legal and institutional framework<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>The sector has been governed by the <strong>Atomic Energy Act, 1962<\/strong>, and the <strong>Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Only public entities, the <strong>Nuclear Power Corporation of India<\/strong>, were allowed to own and operate nuclear plants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Long-term expansion targets and missions<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>India aims to scale nuclear capacity to <strong>100 GW by 2047<\/strong> to support <strong>grid stability and decarbonisation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>This includes a \u20b9<strong>20,000 crore mission for Small Modular Reactors<\/strong> and plans for <strong>indigenous Bharat Small Modular Reactors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>What is the SHANTI Bill?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025<\/strong>, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to reform India\u2019s nuclear energy framework to support the government\u2019s goal of achieving <strong>100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Key Provisions of the SHANTI Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Repeal of existing nuclear laws<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>The Bill proposes the repeal of the <strong>Atomic Energy Act, 1962<\/strong>, which currently governs nuclear activities in India.<\/li>\n<li>It also seeks to repeal the <strong>Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010<\/strong>, which regulates liability in case of nuclear accidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> New unified legal framework: <\/strong>The Bill establishes a <strong>single framework<\/strong> to govern the production, use, and regulation of <strong>nuclear energy and ionising radiation<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Entry of the private sector<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>For the first time, <strong>private companies, joint ventures, and other eligible entities<\/strong> will be allowed to apply for licences to set up and operate nuclear power facilities.<\/li>\n<li>Private entities will also be permitted to <strong>transport nuclear fuel<\/strong>, subject to regulatory approval.<\/li>\n<li>This marks a <strong>major departure from the public sector monopoly<\/strong> in civil nuclear power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong>Activities reserved for the government: <\/strong>Sensitive activities such as <strong>uranium enrichment, spent nuclear fuel management, and heavy water production <\/strong>will remain under the <strong>exclusive control of the Union government<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Licensing and regulatory oversight<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>All nuclear and radiation-related activities will require a <strong>licence from the Central government<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Operators must obtain <strong>safety authorisation from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The Bill grants <strong>statutory status to the AERB<\/strong> and clearly defines its regulatory powers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><strong> Strengthening nuclear safety regulation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>The AERB is empowered to regulate <strong>radiation exposure, waste management, safety inspections, and emergency preparedness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The Centre can take control of radioactive substances or radiation-generating equipment in situations involving radiation hazards.<\/li>\n<li>The cost of safe disposal may be recovered from the authorised entity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><strong> Liability in case of nuclear accidents<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>operator<\/strong> of a nuclear installation will be primarily liable for nuclear damage.<\/li>\n<li>Exceptions apply in cases of <strong>grave natural disasters, armed conflict, war, civil unrest, or terrorism<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>If compensation exceeds the operator\u2019s liability limit, the <strong>Central government assumes additional liability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"8\">\n<li><strong> Insurance and financial security<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Nuclear operators must maintain <strong>insurance or other financial security<\/strong> to cover potential damage.<\/li>\n<li>The Bill provides for a <strong>Nuclear Damage Claims Commission<\/strong>, replacing the earlier liability framework.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"9\">\n<li><strong> Research and innovation:<\/strong> Research and innovation activities are largely <strong>exempt from licensing<\/strong>, except where <strong>national security or reserved activities<\/strong> are involved.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>Significance of the SHANTI Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Unlocks large capital mobilisation<\/strong> by expanding the pool of eligible operators for the <strong>100 GW by 2047<\/strong> target.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Shares construction and commissioning risk<\/strong> beyond a single public operator.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ends the operating monopoly<\/strong> of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Creates a clear licensing pathway<\/strong> for government entities, joint ventures, and companies.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Retains state control over sensitive fuel cycles<\/strong>, limiting proliferation risks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduces legal ambiguity<\/strong> by consolidating safety, enforcement, and dispute resolution in one statute.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Lowers transaction costs and timelines<\/strong> for site approval and commissioning.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>Major concerns related to the SHANTI Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Adequacy of liability caps<\/strong>: The maximum operator liability is capped at \u20b9<strong>3,000 crore<\/strong>, raising concerns about victim compensation and environmental remediation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shift of burden to the State<\/strong>: Liability beyond the cap shifts to the Centre, transferring long-term financial risk to the State.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduced supplier accountability<\/strong>: Supplier liability is removed except where explicitly provided in contracts or in cases of deliberate intent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Restricted judicial remedies<\/strong>: Civil court jurisdiction over nuclear damage claims is barred, limiting legal options for victims.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regulatory independence concerns<\/strong>: Despite statutory status, appointments remain Centre-driven, affecting trust and confidence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Controlled private participation<\/strong>: Private role is confined to non-sensitive segments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Strengthen regulatory independence<\/strong> through greater insulation from executive influence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Review liability caps periodically<\/strong> to align them with real damage risks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Standardise supplier contracts<\/strong> to ensure uniform accountability.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Enhance transparency and public participation<\/strong> in safety and compensation systems.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>SHANTI Bill<\/strong> represents a decisive shift in India\u2019s nuclear policy by enabling private participation, simplifying liability, and consolidating regulation. It supports long-term clean energy goals and capital mobilisation while retaining state control over sensitive activities. Addressing concerns related to liability adequacy, supplier accountability, judicial remedies, and regulatory independence is essential for <strong>safe, trusted, and sustainable nuclear expansion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Question for practice:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Evaluate the significance and major concerns of the SHANTI Bill, 2025 in helping India achieve its target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/editorial\/stepping-stone-on-nuclear-policy-the-shanti-bill\/article70403265.ece\"><strong>The Hindu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 &#8211;Infrastructure ( Energy). Introduction Nuclear power remains a small but critical part of India\u2019s energy mix, contributing around 3% of electricity generation. To meet long-term clean energy and climate goals, India plans a major expansion of nuclear capacity. The SHANTI Billmarks a structural shift in nuclear policy by opening&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/stepping-stone-on-nuclear-policy-the-shanti-bill\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Stepping stone : On nuclear policy, the SHANTI Bill<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":352512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230],"tags":[216,8684,10498],"class_list":["post-352201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-infrastructure-energy","tag-the-hindu","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stepping-stone-On-nuclear-policy-the-SHANTI-Bill.png?fit=1280%2C850&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/352512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}