Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, has described the SHANTI Bill as one of the most far-reaching and historic science reforms undertaken by the Modi Government, stating that it will fundamentally reshape India’s future socio-economic order. Speaking in a media interaction on December 28, 2025, the Minister said that the third term of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi (Modi 3.0) is distinctly marked by bold, structural reforms with a strong and unprecedented focus on science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Science-Led Reforms at the Core of Modi 3.0
Dr Jitendra Singh observed that while public discourse on reforms has traditionally centred around welfare schemes and governance mechanisms, the long-term trajectory of nations is increasingly determined by science and technology-driven reforms. He said Modi 3.0 represents a decisive shift where science is no longer peripheral but central to national transformation.
According to the Minister, earlier reform phases in India were often associated with political or strategic milestones, but Modi 3.0 will be remembered for breaking entrenched barriers in sectors that define technological leadership, energy security, and economic competitiveness.
SHANTI Bill: A Defining Departure from Convention
Calling the SHANTI Bill a defining departure from convention, Dr Jitendra Singh said the legislation places science-driven reform at the heart of India’s development narrative. He emphasised that despite science having a decisive impact on growth and global standing, it had historically not been framed as a reform domain.
“The SHANTI Bill corrects this historic oversight by explicitly linking science, economy, industry, and business into a unified reform framework,” the Minister said, adding that the Bill reflects a new policy mindset where scientific capability becomes an engine of economic and industrial transformation.
Breaking a Six-Decade Stalemate in the Nuclear Sector
The Minister highlighted that the SHANTI Bill marks a historic reform in India’s nuclear sector, breaking a stalemate that persisted for over six decades. He said the reform unlocks the full potential of nuclear energy for peaceful, clean, and sustainable growth, while strictly upholding India’s principles of safety, sovereignty, and public interest.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted that such a reform was long considered politically and institutionally impossible, and has only become feasible due to Prime Minister Modi’s ability to challenge legacy taboos and align India’s nuclear framework with global best practices.
Peaceful Nuclear Use Rooted in India’s Foundational Vision
Reiterating India’s long-standing commitment to peaceful nuclear applications, the Minister recalled the vision of Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, who envisaged nuclear science as a tool for development, healthcare, and energy security.
He said the SHANTI Bill strengthens this foundational philosophy by expanding civilian nuclear applications—clean power generation, advanced research, and medical uses—while firmly excluding any deviation from peaceful intent.
Nuclear Energy as a Backbone of the Future Economy
Highlighting the demands of the AI-driven, quantum-enabled, and data-intensive economy, Dr Jitendra Singh said nuclear energy is indispensable due to its ability to provide reliable, round-the-clock power, unlike intermittent renewable sources.
As India progressively transitions away from fossil fuels and coal, nuclear energy will play a critical qualitative role in supporting advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, strategic industries, and national Net Zero commitments, he added.
Capacity Expansion and the 2047 Vision
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that India’s nuclear power capacity has already doubled from about 4.4 GW in 2014 to nearly 8.7 GW today. He outlined the government’s long-term roadmap to scale nuclear capacity to around 100 GW by 2047, enabling nuclear power to contribute nearly 10 percent of India’s electricity requirements.
This expansion, he said, will be a cornerstone of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Advancing Healthcare Through Nuclear Science
The Minister also drew attention to the growing role of nuclear science in healthcare, particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment through nuclear medicine and isotopes. He said atomic science has evolved into a powerful instrument of human welfare and life-saving medical interventions, further strengthening public trust in peaceful nuclear applications.
Small Modular Reactors and Future Readiness
Looking ahead, Dr Jitendra Singh said India is moving towards the adoption of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are well-suited for dense urban clusters, industrial corridors, and emerging economic zones. These reactors, he noted, will enhance energy security while maintaining high standards of environmental responsibility and safety.
Broad National Consensus on SHANTI Bill
The Minister said the SHANTI Bill has received wide acceptance across the scientific community, industry, startups, and the innovation ecosystem, reflecting a strong national consensus on the need to modernise India’s nuclear and science policy framework.
He described the Bill as a hallmark of Modi 3.0’s reform-first governance approach, where science-led policy decisions are shaping India’s future economic, industrial, and technological order.
Conclusion
Dr Jitendra Singh concluded that the SHANTI Bill exemplifies a transformative moment in India’s reform journey—one where science becomes a central pillar of governance and growth. By breaking long-standing barriers in the nuclear sector and aligning innovation with national development goals, the Bill is poised to redefine India’s energy security, technological sovereignty, and socio-economic future, firmly placing the country on the path to Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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Source: PIB
