Archive · 12 Dec 2025
India Approves Major Energy Reforms
The Indian government has made big changes to its energy rules.
First, they updated the rules for oil and gas to make it easier for companies to explore and produce energy.
Companies can now do more things with just one permit and have to follow stricter rules.
The government wants to make sure India has enough energy and is doing it in a cleaner way.
Second, they approved a new law called the SHANTI Bill, which allows private and global companies to participate in the nuclear energy sector.
This includes exploring for atomic minerals, making fuel, and manufacturing equipment.
The government will still control sensitive and strategic operations.
The changes also include new rules for who is responsible if something goes wrong and a new authority to ensure safety.
India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, and these changes are meant to help achieve that goal.
Companies can now receive a broader set of rights under a single petroleum lease, allowing them to carry out all kinds of mineral oil operations and integrated energy initiatives.
A 180-day deadline has been set for deciding petroleum lease applications.
Long-term leases of up to 30 years, extendable to the economic life of the field, have been introduced.
Mandatory annual declarations of infrastructure capacity are required, allowing joint development or shared use of facilities.
New arbitration norms have been established, with New Delhi as the seat for disputes involving only Indian companies.
The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill) allows private and global companies to participate in atomic mineral exploration, fuel fabrication, and equipment manufacturing.
A redesigned nuclear liability framework aims to address investor concerns by clearly defining liability responsibilities and introducing insurance-backed liability caps.
A new independent nuclear safety authority and a dedicated tribunal for nuclear-related disputes have been proposed.
India aims to scale nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, requiring significant capital infusion, advanced technology, and faster execution.
- Who
- Union Cabinet, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri
- What
- Amendments to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025 and approval of the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill)
- When
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned) and Friday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To accelerate domestic exploration and production, strengthen energy security, ease operations, and allow private participation in the nuclear sector
- Minister
- Hardeep Singh Puri
- Petroleum Rules Amended
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025
- Deadline for Lease Applications
- 180 days
- Lease Duration
- Up to 30 years, extendable to economic life of field
- Arbitration Seat
- New Delhi for disputes involving only Indian companies
- Penalty for Violations
- ₹25 lakh, ₹10 lakh per day for continuing contraventions
- Bill Approved
- Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill)
- Nuclear Capacity Target
- 100 GW by 2047
