Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill, AERB Gets Statutory Status

Parliament has cleared the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha passing it on 18th December, completing the legislative process after Lok Sabha approval. The Bill brings major reforms to India’s nuclear governance framework, most notably by granting statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Key Provisions of the SHANTI Bill

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said the Bill consolidates and rationalises provisions from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, while adapting India’s nuclear regime to contemporary technological and energy needs.

• AERB made statutory: The regulator is now anchored in parent legislation, enhancing its authority and independence.
• Enhanced safety framework: Mandatory inspections during construction and operation, five-year licence renewals, and alignment with IAEA norms.
• Advanced reactor technologies: Recognition of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors as safe, flexible clean-energy solutions.
• Expanded definition of nuclear damage: Includes environmental damage alongside human and property loss.

Safety, Sovereignty and Liability

Addressing concerns, the Minister stressed that nuclear safety and national sovereignty are non-negotiable,

• Nuclear plants remain located away from major seismic zones.
• Radiation levels at sites such as Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Tarapur and Rawatbhata are well below global safety limits.
• No scientific evidence links Indian nuclear plants to carcinogenic risks.

The Bill introduces graded liability caps to attract smaller investors while ensuring full compensation through government-backed mechanisms if damage exceeds operator liability. Judicial oversight remains intact, with the creation of an Atomic Energy Redressal Commission for faster dispute resolution.

Private Participation and Cyber Security

• Limited private participation is permitted in exploration activities, but uranium mining, spent fuel, fissile material and heavy water remain under strict government control.
• Cyber security has been strengthened through encryption, audits, malware filtering and multi-layered digital safeguards.

India’s Nuclear Energy Roadmap

Dr Jitendra Singh outlined ambitious capacity targets,

• 9 GW currently
• 22 GW by 2032
• 47 GW by 2037
• 67 GW by 2042
• 100 GW by 2047

Nuclear energy will play a crucial role in supporting AI-driven growth, digital infrastructure, and India’s long-term clean energy transit

Key Takeaways

• SHANTI Bill, 2025 passed by Parliament
• AERB granted statutory status, strengthening regulation
• Nuclear safety, sovereignty and accountability reaffirmed
• Environmental damage included under nuclear liability
• SMRs and Bharat Small Reactors recognized as future-ready technologies
• Nuclear capacity target: 100 GW by 2047

Question

Q. Which regulatory body is granted statutory status under the SHANTI Bill?

A) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
B) Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
C) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
D) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)