Days after the Parliament passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Technology for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, President Droupadi Murmu granted assent. In a government notification dated 20th December 2025, the President granted assent to the SHANTI Bill.
Notably, the bill, which was passed after the opposition walked out of the house, allows the entry of private players into the industry.
Explaining the need for the Bill, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said earlier laws placed very harsh liability conditions on nuclear equipment suppliers. This, he said, created what he described as a “silent phobia,” discouraging both Indian and foreign companies from participating in nuclear projects. As a result, collaboration in the sector remained almost frozen for the past 10 years.
The SHANTI Bill seeks to remove this fear while keeping accountability intact. Under the new framework, the primary responsibility in case of a nuclear accident will rest with the operator of the facility. Any legal or financial issues involving suppliers will be handled by the operator, not directly by the government.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025replaces two key legislations: The Atomic Energy Act of 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
A major institutional reform under the Bill is granting statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). This move significantly strengthens regulatory oversight and ensures independent, transparent, and robust supervision of radiation safety and nuclear operations, something India’s nuclear ecosystem has long required.
