SHANTI Bill: Transformational Nuclear Sector Reforms

Syllabus: Nuclear Energy and Infrastructure

Department of Atomic Energy

Why in news?

The SHANTI Bill is positioned as a landmark reform to dismantle legacy barriers in India's nuclear sector, aligning it with global best practices for clean energy and socio-economic growth.

⚛️Static Concepts

Three-Stage Nuclear Power ProgrammeCivil Liability for Nuclear Damage ActIAEA Safeguards

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Prelims-Oriented Points

Aims for 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, meeting nearly 10% of India’s electricity needs.
Positions nuclear energy as a reliable, 24/7 base-load power source required for AI and data-driven economies.
Capacity growth: Doubled from 4.4 GW in 2014 to nearly 8.7 GW in 2025.
Focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for industrial corridors and dense urban clusters.
Includes expansion for medical applications, such as cancer diagnosis through nuclear isotopes.

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Examiner's Trap: The bill does NOT deviate from peaceful nuclear use; it explicitly maintains India's foundational philosophy of development and healthcare applications.

Quick Data Points

Target Capacity by 2047: 100 GW

Current Capacity: ~8.7 GW

Electricity Share Target: ~10% by 2047

Mains Value Addition

GS-3: Energy Security, Indigenization of Technology, and Net Zero commitments.

Economic Future: Nuclear energy is vital for high-tech economies requiring stable, non-intermittent power.
Structural Reform: Moves science-led policy to the center of national transformation, breaking 60-year-old legacy taboos.
Clean Transition: Essential for decarbonizing the grid and meeting global Net Zero targets while phasing out fossil fuels.

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Strategy Deep Dive