Rajya Sabha Passes SHANTI Bill

• 19 Dec 2025

On 18th December 2025, the Rajya Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, completing its parliamentary approval after it was earlier cleared by the Lok Sabha.

Key Points

• Parliamentary Approval: The SHANTI Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha, marking a major legislative step in reforming India’s nuclear energy framework.
• Consolidation of Laws: The Bill consolidates and rationalises provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, streamlining India’s nuclear governance framework.
• Stronger Regulation: The Bill grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), strengthening regulatory oversight and aligning it with global best practices.
• Safety Framework: India’s nuclear safety standards remain uncompromised, guided by the principle of “safety first, production next,” with periodic inspections, five-yearly licence renewals and enhanced AERB powers.
• Global Alignment: Regulatory oversight will be aligned with norms of the International Atomic Energy Agency, ensuring adherence to international safety benchmarks.
• Plant Safety Assurance: Nuclear plants at Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Rawatbhata and Tarapur are located away from major seismic fault zones, with radiation levels well below global safety limits.