Atomic energy, long considered one of the most tightly controlled sectors, is gradually opening up to limited private participation, with the government allowing private players into specific areas such as exploration. This shift follows the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025.
Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, assured that “nuclear safety, national sovereignty, and public accountability remain non-negotiable” despite the controlled opening of the sector.
Strengthening Regulation, Not Diluting It
Under the SHANTI Bill, provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act have been rationalised. Importantly, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has been granted statutory status, significantly strengthening regulatory oversight rather than weakening it.
Addressing concerns raised during earlier nuclear reforms in 2010, Dr Singh noted that today’s realities are very different. Advances in technology, safety systems, and global energy demands have transformed the nuclear sector. Concepts such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors were unimaginable fifteen years ago but are now emerging as safe, efficient, and flexible solutions for clean, round-the-clock power generation.
Nuclear Safety Remains Paramount
Nuclear safety standards remain unchanged and uncompromised, governed by the core principle of the Atomic Energy Act: “safety first, production next.” India follows a rigorous inspection regime that includes quarterly inspections during construction, biannual inspections during operation, and licence renewals every five years.
With enhanced powers now vested in the statutory AERB, regulatory oversight aligns with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. Indian nuclear plants are located far from seismic fault zones, and radiation levels at reactors are many times below prescribed global safety limits.
Dr Jitendra Singh stated that there is no scientific evidence of carcinogenic impact from Indian nuclear reactors. Radiation data from facilities such as Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Rawatbhata, and Tarapur show emissions in micro-sieverts that are well below permissible limits.
He also highlighted major upgrades in cybersecurity within the nuclear sector, including encryption, secure coding practices, regular audits, malware filtering, and multi-layered digital protection systems.
Clarifying the Scope of Privatisation
Addressing misconceptions, the Minister clarified that private participation would be limited and carefully regulated. While exploration activities may involve private partners under defined conditions, uranium mining beyond specified thresholds will remain exclusively with the government.
Spent fuel management will always remain under government custody, following clearly defined long-term storage and handling protocols. Strategic materials—including source material, fissile material, and heavy water—will continue to be under strict government control.
Liability, Compensation, and Citizen Protection
On liability and compensation, Dr Singh explained that graded liability caps would be introduced to encourage participation by smaller investors without diluting victim compensation. In cases where damage exceeds operator liability limits, full compensation will be ensured through government-backed funds and international conventions.
The definition of “nuclear damage” has been expanded to explicitly include environmental damage. Additionally, an Atomic Energy Redressal Commission will be established to provide a faster dispute-resolution mechanism for citizens, without limiting access to civil courts or the higher judiciary.
Sovereignty and Civilian Use
Responding to concerns about sovereignty and foreign influence, Dr Singh asserted that India would adopt only those international best practices that suit Indian conditions, without compromising strategic autonomy.
The SHANTI Bill applies strictly to civilian nuclear energy, with uranium enrichment limited to reactor requirements and entirely unrelated to weapons-grade activities.
Expanding Role of Nuclear Science Beyond Power
Dr Singh also highlighted the expanding role of nuclear science in healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, and cancer treatment. He cited advances in nuclear medicine for childhood leukaemia and prostate cancer through institutions such as the Tata Memorial Centre, adding that liberalising research participation would accelerate innovation across these sectors.
India’s Long-Term Nuclear Energy Roadmap
India currently has nearly 9 GW of installed nuclear capacity. The government has set ambitious targets:
- 22 GW by 2032
- 47 GW by 2037
- 67 GW by 2042
- 100 GW by 2047, contributing nearly 10% of India’s total energy needs
Nuclear power will be critical in meeting future energy demands driven by artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, as it provides reliable, 24×7 clean energy—unlike intermittent renewable sources.
Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat
In the Union Budget 2025, the government launched the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, allocating ₹20,000 crore for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is currently developing:
- Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) for repurposing retiring thermal power plants and for captive power generation in energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel, and cement
- Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) for remote and off-grid locations, aimed at decarbonising the energy sector
- A High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (5 MWth) for hydrogen production to decarbonise transport and process industries
Initial reactor units will be set up at DAE sites, while subsequent units will be deployed at industrial or brownfield sites, subject to regulatory approvals.
Industry Participation and Indigenous Capability
The Nuclear Energy Mission envisions achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 through existing and advanced technologies, both indigenous and through foreign cooperation. NPCIL is expected to contribute 54 GW by setting up new nuclear plants using indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and Light Water Reactors.
BARC has initiated design and development work on:
- 200 MWe BSMR-200
- 55 MWe SMR-55
These reactors can serve captive industries, replace retiring fossil-fuel plants, and supply energy to remote regions. Additionally, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is under development for hydrogen production.
India already possesses the necessary technology for deploying large reactors such as 700 MWe PHWRs and small reactors like BSMR-200 and SMR-55. Most equipment can be manufactured domestically, with technological support from DAE.
Following the FY 2024–25 Budget announcement allowing private participation in Bharat Small Reactors, NPCIL has floated Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for deploying 220 MW PHWR-based BSRs as captive plants under the existing legal framework.
Nuclear Power and India’s Net Zero Goals
Nuclear power is a clean, base-load source of electricity available 24×7. Its lifecycle emissions are comparable to renewables such as hydro and wind energy. As a result, nuclear energy will play a vital role in India’s clean energy transition and its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.