Parliament passes SHANTI Bill, 2025 to open nuclear sector; AERB gets statutory status
The Rajya Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 in New Delhi on 18 December 2025, completing its passage a day after the Lok Sabha.
Summary
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 completed its passage through Parliament in New Delhi when the Rajya Sabha passed it on 18 December 2025, after the Lok Sabha passed it on 17 December; the Bill had been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 December. The SHANTI Bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, permits private companies to take part in the nuclear sector under regulatory oversight, and gives statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The Bill sets up a graded liability framework in place of a single cap on operator liability, makes the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity the appellate authority, and supports the target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
Key facts
- Rajya Sabha
- Passed 18 December 2025
- Lok Sabha
- Introduced 15 December; passed 17 December 2025
- Replaces
- Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
- Regulator
- AERB gets statutory status
- Liability
- Graded limits by type of installation (Second Schedule)
- Target
- 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which two laws does the SHANTI Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on 18 December 2025, replace?
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Correct answer: A — Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
PRS: the Bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
Which body gets statutory status under the SHANTI Bill, 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
PIB 2206211: the Bill accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, making it part of the parent legislation.
What nuclear energy capacity target by 2047 does the SHANTI Bill support?
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Correct answer: C — 100 GW
PIB 2206598: the Bill supports the long-term objective of achieving 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
Consider the following statements about the SHANTI Bill, 2025: 1. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025 and passed by the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2025. 2. The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity will serve as the appellate authority under it. 3. It keeps a single statutory cap on operator liability for all nuclear installations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PRS gives the dates (introduced 15 December, Lok Sabha 17 December) and PIB 2206598 names the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity. The Bill replaces the single cap with a graded liability framework, so statement 3 is wrong.