Government Actively Drafting Framework for SHANTI Act Implementation
The government officially informed Parliament on Thursday that comprehensive rules, regulations, and policies are currently being drafted to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions under the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025. However, authorities have explicitly declined to provide any specific timeline for when these crucial frameworks will be finalized and put into action.
Establishment of Enforcement Directorates and Coordination Mechanisms
In a detailed written reply, the government further elaborated that dedicated directorates, specialized wings, and distinct divisions will be systematically established. These bodies will be tasked with ensuring rigorous enforcement of safety protocols, security measures, and essential safeguards. A key objective is to significantly improve inter-agency coordination, which will be vital for fixing clear accountability among licensees during any potential radiation emergency scenario.
"The timelines for the framing of rules, regulations, policies and implementation of provisions of the Act have not been notified by the government so far," stated Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh, addressing the legislative body.
SHANTI Act: Opening Nuclear Sector to Private Investment
The landmark SHANTI Act was passed during the recent Winter session of Parliament. This pioneering legislation paves the way for opening India's otherwise highly restricted nuclear energy sector to private sector players. The strategic move is designed to substantially boost the country's domestic nuclear capacity and accelerate its energy transition goals.
Minister Singh emphasized that India's nuclear energy program is currently in a decisive and aggressive expansion phase. This growth is robustly backed by a series of policy reforms, active encouragement of private sector participation, and clearly defined capacity targets extending up to the year 2047.
Legal Framework Aligns with National and International Commitments
The minister detailed that the legal framework established by the SHANTI Act meticulously aligns civil nuclear cooperation to enhance nuclear energy's contribution to meeting national energy goals. It simultaneously harmonizes these objectives with both domestic and stringent international commitments concerning safety, security, safeguards, and civil liability for nuclear damage.
Safety First Principle and Kudankulam Plant Update
Responding to a separate parliamentary question, Minister Singh reaffirmed that "safety first, production next" remains the unwavering guiding principle of India's atomic energy sector. He sought to allay public concerns regarding safety at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, providing specific updates on its expansion.
The minister informed the Upper House that all established timelines and rigorous safety measures are being strictly adhered to in the commissioning of new nuclear plants. He provided concrete projections, noting that Unit-3 of the Kudankulam plant is likely to be completed by 2026, with Unit-4 following in 2027.
Ambitious Nuclear Capacity Expansion Targets
Outlining a bold vision for the future, the minister revealed that the country's nuclear capacity is set to nearly triple to approximately 22,380 Megawatts (MW) by the fiscal year 2031-32, up from the current capacity of 8,780 MW. The long-term ambition is even more staggering, with plans to further expand nuclear capacity to a monumental 100 GigaWatts (GW) by the year 2047, marking a transformative leap in India's energy landscape.
