SHANTI Act 2025 Receives Presidential Assent
Why focus: Iron Law 4: Major legislation ending govt nuclear monopoly. GS3 Energy, sets up perfect 'How-Many-Correct' on repealed 1962/2010 Acts.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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End of State Monopoly: Private companies and joint ventures can now build, own, and operate civil nuclear power plants, a fundamental shift from the exclusive state control under the 1962 Act.
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AERB Statutory Status: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, originally created via an executive order in 1983, is transformed into an independent statutory body, separating safety regulation from the DAE's promotional mandate.
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Supplier Liability Cap: The Act introduces a graded, predictable liability cap, replacing the controversial Section 17 of the CLNDA 2010, thereby protecting suppliers from open-ended liability and encouraging foreign investment.
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Adjudication Mechanism: The Act establishes the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council (AERAC) as a specialized appellate body to handle disputes against AERB decisions.
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Scope of Nuclear Law: It explicitly creates regulatory space for non-power nuclear applications by private entities, including pink hydrogen production, agriculture, and healthcare.
What Did NOT Change
The central government retains absolute control over all strategic and defense-related nuclear facilities, as well as the processing of fissile material for weapons. Furthermore, radioactive waste management and final disposal remain the exclusive responsibility of the state to ensure long-term environmental and public safety.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Common Misconceptions
✗ Private companies can now build and own nuclear weapons in India.
✓ The Act strictly limits private participation to civil nuclear power generation and non-power civilian applications. Strategic and military nuclear programs remain exclusively under state control.
The headline 'ending state monopoly on atomic energy' is often misinterpreted as total deregulation of all nuclear materials.
✗ The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is a brand new institution created by the SHANTI Act.
✓ The AERB has existed since 1983. The SHANTI Act merely elevates it from a subordinate executive body to an independent statutory authority.
News reports stating that the Act 'establishes a statutory regulator' make people think the regulatory body itself didn't exist before.
Practice Questions
Q1
How Many CorrectConsider the following statements regarding the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025: 1. It repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 but retains the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 to ensure supplier accountability. 2. It grants statutory independence to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), separating it from the promotional oversight of the Department of Atomic Energy. 3. It allows private sector companies to build and operate civil nuclear power plants in India. How many of the above statements are correct?
Q2
Match the FollowingMatch the pre-2025 nuclear governance features (List I) with the corresponding reforms under the SHANTI Act 2025 (List II): List I A. Section 17 of CLNDA 2010 B. AERB (1983 Executive Order) C. NPCIL Monopoly D. Dispute over AERB decisions List II 1. Granted independent statutory status 2. Private sector allowed to own and operate reactors 3. Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council (AERAC) 4. Introduction of a graded, predictable supplier liability cap Select the correct code:
Q3
Assertion & ReasonAssertion (A): The SHANTI Act 2025 introduces a predictable, graded liability cap for nuclear equipment suppliers. Reason (R): Open-ended supplier liability under the previous Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) of 2010 had severely deterred foreign and private investment in India's nuclear sector. Select the correct answer: