President Murmu Greenlights SHANTI Bill for Nuclear Energy Development

President Droupadi Murmu has officially endorsed the SHANTI Bill, which was approved by Parliament in the Winter Session, signifying a pivotal moment for India’s civil nuclear energy landscape. The President's signature on the bill was confirmed by the government on Saturday.

The SHANTI Bill, known as the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India, replaces earlier legislation including the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010. These previous laws limited the potential expansion of India’s nuclear industry.

With the introduction of this legislation, private enterprises and joint ventures are now permitted to construct, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power facilities, subject to obtaining a license from the government. This initiative paves the way for increased private engagement in advancing India’s nuclear capabilities.

Nonetheless, certain critical activities such as uranium and thorium mining, enrichment, isotopic separation, spent fuel reprocessing, high-level radioactive waste management, and heavy water production will still be strictly governed by the central government or state-owned agencies.

The SHANTI Bill is designed to modernize India’s civil nuclear framework, stimulate private investments, and enhance energy generation while ensuring stringent safety measures and government oversight in vital nuclear activities. This transformative step is anticipated to fortify India’s energy security and foster sustainable growth in the forthcoming years.