President Droupadi Murmu has accorded her assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session. A government notification confirmed that the President approved the legislation on Saturday, paving the way for a major policy shift in India’s civil nuclear sector.
The SHANTI Bill enables private companies and joint ventures to participate in nuclear power generation by building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants under government licence. This marks the first time India’s nuclear energy framework has been opened to private sector involvement, a move aimed at accelerating capacity expansion and meeting the country’s growing energy demands.
The new law consolidates existing nuclear legislation and introduces a modern regulatory framework to ensure safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the measure is expected to attract significant investment, foster innovation, and strengthen India’s energy security while maintaining strict oversight by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
Industry experts have welcomed the development, noting that private participation could help bridge the gap between demand and supply in the power sector. The government emphasized that the SHANTI Bill will support India’s clean energy transition and contribute to achieving net-zero targets by 2070.
With the President’s assent, the SHANTI Bill has now become law, setting the stage for a transformative phase in India’s nuclear energy policy and infrastructure development.
