India’s newly passed Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, popularly known as the SHANTI Bill, is being seen as a major shift in the country’s nuclear energy policy.

Passed in December 2025, the legislation opens India’s civil nuclear sector to private participation for the first time on a large scale, allowing companies to build, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power plants.

Push for cleaner and stable energy

India currently generates only around 3 per cent of its electricity from nuclear energy, while coal continues to dominate power production.

The government aims to increase nuclear capacity from 8.7 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as part of its clean energy and decarbonisation goals.

Experts believe private investment and technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) could help India reduce dependence on fossil fuels and provide stable baseload power alongside renewable energy.

The bill also grants statutory powers to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, aiming to strengthen safety oversight and align India’s nuclear governance with international standards.

Liability and safety concerns remain

Despite support for the reforms, the bill has triggered concerns among environmental and policy experts.

Critics argue that the revised liability framework reportedly reduces supplier accountability in case of accidents, shifting greater responsibility onto plant operators and potentially the government.

Experts warned that without stronger safeguards, communities affected by nuclear accidents may struggle to secure compensation from equipment suppliers.

There are also concerns about radioactive waste disposal, decommissioning costs, and long-term environmental risks.

Questions over transparency and oversight

The legislation has additionally faced criticism for being passed through a voice vote without detailed parliamentary committee review.

Analysts say nuclear expansion requires stronger public consultation, transparent regulation, and long-term financial planning to maintain public trust and attract investors.

While the SHANTI Bill is viewed as a bold attempt to modernise India’s nuclear sector, experts say its success will ultimately depend on how effectively the country manages safety, accountability, and institutional independence in the years ahead.