Nuclear Horizons: Parliament Clears SHANTI Bill, Opening Sector to Private Players

India’s Parliament has passed the landmark Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, paving the way for private participation in the civil nuclear sector. The legislation repeals older laws, grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and aligns with India’s clean energy goals.  

The passage of the SHANTI Bill represents the most significant reform in India’s atomic energy framework since independence. Previously dominated by state-run entities like the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, the sector will now open to private players across generation, mining, and exploration. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh assured Parliament that safety safeguards remain intact, addressing opposition concerns. The bill also rewrites liability provisions, ensuring a balanced framework for investors and regulators.  

Notable updates  
• SHANTI Bill passed by both houses of Parliament in December 2025  
• Opens nuclear power generation to private and foreign companies  
• Repeals Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010  
• Grants statutory status to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board  
• Supports India’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 and net-zero by 2070  

Major takeaway  
India’s nuclear sector reform signals a decisive step toward energy independence, climate resilience, and global competitiveness, positioning the country as a hub for next-generation nuclear innovation.  

Sources: Republic World, Deccan Chronicle, ABC News, Moneycontrol, Economic Times, NDTV