President Droupadi Murmu Gives Assent to SHANTI Nuclear Bill
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the SHANTI Bill, formally turning it into law and marking a major shift in India’s civil nuclear energy framework. The legislation clears the way for limited private sector participation in nuclear power generation, an area that was earlier dominated by state-controlled entities.
What the SHANTI Law Changes
The SHANTI Act introduces a new regulatory structure that allows private companies to participate in building and operating nuclear power plants under government licensing and oversight. Until now, nuclear power generation was largely restricted to public sector undertakings. The government has stated that the reform is aimed at accelerating nuclear capacity addition and attracting long-term investment into the clean energy sector.
Government Retains Control Over Sensitive Areas
While the law opens certain parts of the nuclear sector to private participation, strategic and sensitive activities remain under government control. Uranium and thorium mining, fuel enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, radioactive waste management, and heavy water production will continue to be handled exclusively by government agencies to ensure national security and safety standards.
Push for Clean Energy and Capacity Expansion
The government has linked the new law to India’s long-term clean energy goals. Nuclear power is seen as a stable, low-carbon energy source that can support India’s growing electricity demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Officials have said the law will help streamline regulations and remove policy bottlenecks that previously discouraged private investment.
Concerns and Oversight
The passage of the SHANTI Act has also sparked debate over safety, liability, and regulatory oversight. Critics have called for strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure that safety standards and accountability remain robust as private players enter the sector.
