Archive · 23 Dec 2025
President Approves SHANTI Bill, Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Players
President Droupadi Murmu has approved a new law called the SHANTI Bill.
This law allows private companies to build and run nuclear power plants in India.
The government will still control important parts like mining and handling nuclear waste.
The new law replaces older laws that were seen as slowing down the growth of nuclear energy.
This change is expected to bring more investment and speed up the development of nuclear power in India.
The President also approved another law that increases the guaranteed days of work for rural people from 100 to 125 days a year.
This new law aims to improve rural employment and infrastructure.
The SHANTI Bill also makes the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) more powerful, ensuring better safety and supervision of nuclear operations.
The United States has welcomed this new law and is ready to work with India on nuclear energy research and development.
President Droupadi Murmu approved the SHANTI Bill, allowing private sector entry into India’s civil nuclear sector.
The bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
Private firms can now participate in nuclear power generation, subject to regulatory approvals.
Core nuclear activities like mining and waste management remain under government control.
The President also approved the VB-G RAM G Bill, increasing rural employment guarantees to 125 days annually.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu
- What
- Approved the SHANTI Bill, opening India’s civil nuclear sector to private players
- When
- 20th December 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To allow private sector participation in nuclear power generation and modernize the legal framework
Proponents
Critics
Private Sector Participation
Proponents
Proponents argue that private sector involvement will accelerate nuclear power development, attract investment, and modernize India's energy infrastructure.
Critics
Critics express concerns about safety risks and potential accidents due to private sector involvement in nuclear power generation.
Government Control
Proponents
Supporters believe that retaining core nuclear activities under government control ensures national security and regulatory oversight.
Critics
Opponents argue that excessive government control may stifle innovation and efficiency in the nuclear sector.
- Legislation Name
- Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill
- President's Assent
- 20th December 2025
- Key Activities Reserved for Government
- Uranium and thorium mining, fuel enrichment, isotopic separation, spent-fuel reprocessing, high-level radioactive waste management, heavy water production
- Private Sector Role
- Construction, ownership, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants (subject to regulatory approvals)
- Replaced Laws
- Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
- Additional Legislation
- Viksit Bharat, Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025
- Employment Guarantee
- 125 days of wage employment annually (up from 100 days)
- Payment Timelines
- Weekly or within 15 days of work completion
- US Reaction
- The United States has welcomed the SHANTI Bill, expressing readiness for joint research and development in the nuclear energy sector.
Sources
G RAM G Bill gets Prez nod
SHANTI Bill gets President's nod, opening India’s civil nuclear sector to private players
President Droupadi Murmu Grants Assent To Shanti Bill, Private Firms To Enter Nuclear Sector
SHANTI bill that opens up nuclear sector for private players gets Prez assent
President Droupadi Murmu grants assent to SHANTI Bill, which allows private participation in nuclear sector: Details
President grants assent to SHANTI Bill that opens up nuclear sector for private participation
VB-G RAM G replaces MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi's name dropped, new funding model – What changes? 4 key differences
'Stand ready for joint energy innovation and R&D': US welcomes India's SHANTI Bill
What is the SHANTI Bill? US welcomes India’s move, says it strengthens energy security partnership
US welcomes India’s SHANTI Bill, calls it a 'step towards stronger energy security partnership'
US eyes ‘joint innovation and R&D’ with India as SHANTI Act paves way for private players, FDI in nuclear sector
Power Unions To Protest Against Electricity Bill Today
US welcomes SHANTI Bill: ‘A step towards stronger energy security ties’
"Step Towards Stronger Energy Security Partnership": US Praises India's SHANTI Bill
