The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, following its earlier approval by the Lok Sabha. Participating in an extensive discussion in the Upper House, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh clarified key provisions of the Bill, firmly asserting that nuclear safety, national sovereignty and public accountability remain non-negotiable.
The legislation marks a significant milestone in India’s clean energy journey, balancing reforms with robust safeguards while aligning nuclear governance with contemporary technological and global realities.
Strengthening Regulation Through Legislative Consolidation
Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the SHANTI Bill consolidates and rationalises provisions from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, while granting statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) by embedding it within the parent legislation.
Far from diluting oversight, the Minister said, the move strengthens regulatory supervision, enhances transparency, and reflects India’s adherence to global best practices in nuclear safety and governance.
Evolving Technology and New Energy Realities
Addressing concerns rooted in earlier debates on nuclear reforms, the Minister noted that objections raised in 2010 must be viewed in the context of today’s transformed technological landscape. Concepts such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors, he said, were inconceivable fifteen years ago but are now emerging as safe, efficient and flexible solutions for providing clean, 24×7 power.
These advancements, he added, are critical for meeting rising energy demands in a low-carbon and sustainable manner.
Nuclear Safety Standards Remain Uncompromised
Reiterating the Government’s unwavering commitment to safety, Dr Jitendra Singh stated that nuclear operations in India continue to follow the foundational principle of “safety first, production next”, as enshrined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1962.
He detailed the stringent inspection and oversight regime, including:
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Quarterly inspections during construction
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Biannual inspections during operation
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Five-yearly licence renewals
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Enhanced powers to the now-statutory AERB
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Oversight aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) parameters
He further reassured Members that Indian nuclear plants are geographically located away from seismic fault zones.
Radiation Levels Well Below Global Limits
Addressing public health concerns, Dr Jitendra Singh categorically stated that there is no scientific evidence of carcinogenic impact from Indian nuclear reactors. Citing radiation emission data in micro-sieverts, he explained that levels at facilities such as Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Rawatbhata and Tarapur are many times lower than prescribed global safety limits.
He also highlighted significant upgrades in cybersecurity measures across the nuclear sector, including encryption, secure coding, regular audits, malware filtering and multi-layered digital protection to counter emerging cyber threats.
Government Retains Control Over Strategic Assets
Dispelling concerns regarding privatisation, the Minister clarified that while certain exploration activities may involve private partners under defined conditions, uranium mining beyond specified thresholds will remain exclusively under government control.
He emphasised that:
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Spent fuel management will always remain with the government
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Strategic materials, including source material, fissile material and heavy water, will continue to be strictly regulated
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Sovereignty and strategic autonomy will not be compromised under any circumstances
Liability, Compensation and Judicial Oversight
On liability issues, Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the Bill introduces graded liability caps to encourage participation by smaller investors without weakening victim compensation. In cases where damage exceeds operator liability limits, government-backed funds and international conventions will ensure full compensation.
He added that the definition of “nuclear damage” has been expanded to explicitly include environmental damage. The Bill also introduces an Atomic Energy Redressal Commission to provide faster grievance resolution, without restricting access to civil courts or the higher judiciary.
Civilian Focus and Strategic Autonomy
Responding to concerns about foreign influence, the Minister made it clear that India will adopt only those international best practices that suit domestic conditions. He reiterated that the SHANTI Bill applies strictly to civilian nuclear energy, with uranium enrichment limited to reactor requirements and entirely unrelated to weapons-grade activity.
Nuclear Science Transforming Everyday Life
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the expanding role of nuclear science in healthcare, agriculture, food preservation and cancer treatment. He cited advancements in nuclear medicine, including treatments for childhood leukaemia and prostate cancer through institutions such as the Tata Memorial Centre, noting that broader research participation would further accelerate innovation.
Long-Term Nuclear Energy Roadmap
Outlining India’s nuclear capacity targets, the Minister stated that the country has already achieved nearly 9 GW of nuclear power and aims to reach:
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22 GW by 2032
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47 GW by 2037
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67 GW by 2042
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100 GW by 2047
This would contribute nearly 10% of India’s total energy needs, a critical component in meeting future demands driven by artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and industrial growth.
Conclusion
Concluding his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said the SHANTI Bill reflects India’s scientific maturity, policy confidence and readiness to lead responsibly in the global clean energy transition. He assured the House that the Government remains open to constructive inputs during rule-making and reaffirmed that India’s nuclear journey will continue to be guided by safety, transparency, sovereignty and national interest.
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Source: PIB
