The Government of India has introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, marking a significant policy shift in the nation’s approach to civil nuclear energy. 
Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, presented the bill during the Winter Session of Parliament, emphasising reforms designed to modernise the regulatory framework and encourage broader participation in nuclear power development. 
The SHANTI Bill proposes to repeal the existing Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, legislation that until now strictly limited civil nuclear activities to public sector entities. If enacted, the new law would open the civil nuclear power sector to private companies, bringing in opportunities for both domestic and foreign investment in plant construction, equipment manufacturing, and related technologies. 
A core objective of the legislation is to create a pragmatic civil liability regime for nuclear damage and provide statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, strengthening oversight and safety mechanisms. It also outlines the establishment of advisory and redressal bodies to handle nuclear damage claims and related disputes. 
Government leaders have framed the SHANTI Bill as a key enabler for accelerating India’s nuclear power capacity growth, aiming to support long-term energy goals, complement renewable energy sources, and enhance grid reliability for critical sectors such as data centres and industrial infrastructure. 
The introduction of the SHANTI Bill has generated significant discussion in Parliament, including debate over the balance between public oversight and private sector participation. If passed, the bill would represent a major milestone in India’s energy policy by allowing broader involvement in nuclear energy development and aligning regulatory frameworks with modern industry needs. 
