The Union government on Monday introduced a sweeping overhaul of India’s nuclear energy laws, with Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh tabling the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 in Parliament.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal two cornerstone laws, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and replace them with a single, consolidated legal framework designed to meet India’s present and future energy needs.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, India’s sustained investment in research and development has led to self-reliance across the nuclear fuel cycle and the safe operation of its nuclear power programme. Building on this experience, the government now aims to significantly expand nuclear capacity to strengthen clean energy security and provide reliable, round-the-clock power for emerging requirements such as data centres and advanced technological applications.
The Bill is closely aligned with India’s long-term climate and energy commitments. It reiterates the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and sets an ambitious target of 100GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. To achieve this, the legislation proposes fuller utilisation of indigenous nuclear resources and enables greater participation by both public and private sector entities, while positioning India as an active player in the global nuclear energy ecosystem.
On the regulatory front, the Bill lays down provisions for licensing and safety authorisation for entities involved in the production and use of nuclear energy, along with defined grounds for suspension or cancellation of licences. It brings nuclear and radiation technologies used in healthcare, agriculture, industry and research under a unified regulatory framework, while exempting research, development and innovation activities from licensing requirements to encourage technological advancement.
A key feature of the Bill is the proposed revision of the civil liability regime for nuclear damage, described as more pragmatic and balanced. It also confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and strengthens mechanisms related to safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance and emergency preparedness.
The legislation further provides for new institutional arrangements, including the establishment of an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, the appointment of Claims Commissioners, and the creation of a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving severe nuclear damage. Appeals against such decisions would lie with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
The Union government on Monday introduced a sweeping overhaul of India’s nuclear energy laws, with Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh tabling the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 in Parliament.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal two cornerstone laws, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 and replace them with a single, consolidated legal framework designed to meet India’s present and future energy needs.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, India’s sustained investment in research and development has led to self-reliance across the nuclear fuel cycle and the safe operation of its nuclear power programme. Building on this experience, the government now aims to significantly expand nuclear capacity to strengthen clean energy security and provide reliable, round-the-clock power for emerging requirements such as data centres and advanced technological applications.
The Bill is closely aligned with India’s long-term climate and energy commitments. It reiterates the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and sets an ambitious target of 100GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. To achieve this, the legislation proposes fuller utilisation of indigenous nuclear resources and enables greater participation by both public and private sector entities, while positioning India as an active player in the global nuclear energy ecosystem.
On the regulatory front, the Bill lays down provisions for licensing and safety authorisation for entities involved in the production and use of nuclear energy, along with defined grounds for suspension or cancellation of licences. It brings nuclear and radiation technologies used in healthcare, agriculture, industry and research under a unified regulatory framework, while exempting research, development and innovation activities from licensing requirements to encourage technological advancement.
A key feature of the Bill is the proposed revision of the civil liability regime for nuclear damage, described as more pragmatic and balanced. It also confers statutory status on the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and strengthens mechanisms related to safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance and emergency preparedness.
The legislation further provides for new institutional arrangements, including the establishment of an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, the appointment of Claims Commissioners, and the creation of a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving severe nuclear damage. Appeals against such decisions would lie with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
