NITI Aayog Convened a Stakeholder Consultation on Implementation of the SHANTI Act 2025

Now I have sufficient grounded facts. Writing the study note.

NITI Aayog Stakeholder Consultation on SHANTI Act 2025 Implementation

1. At a Glance

SHANTI Act, 2025 ("Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India") is India's overhaul of nuclear-sector law, replacing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [S2].
It opens nuclear power generation, fuel fabrication, and related activities to private Indian companies and joint ventures, ending the long-standing government monopoly under the 1962 Act [S2].
On 10 July 2026, NITI Aayog convened a Stakeholder Consultation on Implementation of the SHANTI Act, 2025 at Samrasta Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, to firm up the Act's operational framework [S1].
Relevant for Prelims (Act provisions, target numbers) and Mains GS-III (energy security, private participation in strategic sectors).

2. Why in the News

NITI Aayog held a stakeholder consultation on 10 July 2026 on operationalising the SHANTI Act, chaired by Prof. Abhay Karandikar (Member, NITI Aayog), with participation from MoP, CEA, NTPC, DAE and NITI Aayog officials [S1].
Follows the Act receiving Presidential assent on 21 December 2025, after passage by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha [S2][S3].
Preceded by a separate Workshop on SHANTI Act, 2025: Enabling India's 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap through Public–Private Partnership [S4].

3. Background & Evolution

India's nuclear sector was historically governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (state monopoly on nuclear energy) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (liability/compensation framework) [S2].
Union Budget 2025–26 announced the Nuclear Energy Mission, setting a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, with ₹20,000 crore allocated for design, development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) [S5].
The SHANTI Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025, passed by both Houses, and received Presidential assent on 21 December 2025, becoming the SHANTI Act, 2025 [S2][S3][S5].
The current NITI Aayog consultation (July 2026) marks the transition from legislation to implementation/operationalisation.

4. Core Static Facts

Full name: Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 [S2].
Assent date: 21 December 2025 [S3].
Replaces: Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [S2].
Nodal ministry/body for consultation: NITI Aayog, along with Ministry of Power (MoP) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) [S1].
Key dignitaries at consultation: Prof. Abhay Karandikar (Member, NITI Aayog – Chair); Pankaj Agrawal (Secretary, MoP); Ghanshyam Prasad (Chairperson, CEA); Gurdeep Singh (CMD, NTPC Ltd.); Dr. Anshu Bharadwaj (Programme Director, NITI Aayog); Rajnath Ram (Adviser, NITI Aayog); Dr. Garima Sharma (Head, SSSD, DAE); Hari Kumar (Distinguished Scientist and Director, AERB) [S1].
Private participation: Central government may grant licences to Indian companies (excluding companies incorporated outside India) and JVs between government entities and private companies, for plant ownership/operation, power generation, and nuclear fuel fabrication/transport/trade/storage up to prescribed thresholds [S2].
Civil liability structure: Graded/tiered liability from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore, varying by installation type/power capacity, replacing the single statutory cap under the 2010 Act [S2].
National target: 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047; long-term decarbonisation target by 2070 [S5].
SMR funding: ₹20,000 crore under the Nuclear Energy Mission (Budget 2025–26) [S5].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Ends state monopoly, unlocking private capital for capital-intensive nuclear projects; expected to accelerate the 100 GW-by-2047 target [S2][S5]. - SMR push (₹20,000 crore) aims to build indigenous manufacturing capacity and reduce import dependence [S5].

Legal/Constitutional - Repeals/replaces two standalone Acts (1962 and 2010) into a single consolidated statute — a major legislative consolidation exercise [S2]. - Introduces graded civil liability (₹100–3,000 crore) departing from the earlier flat-cap model, addressing investor concerns about unlimited exposure [S2].

Administrative/Governance - NITI Aayog's convening role signals a whole-of-government coordination mechanism (MoP, CEA, DAE, NTPC) needed to operationalise licensing and safety authorisation [S1]. - Implementation requires building a licensing and safety-authorisation architecture under the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) [S1].

Scientific/Technological - SMR deployment (indigenous technology) is central to scaling capacity while managing land/safety constraints [S5]. - Enables uranium-235 enrichment/conversion activities by licensed private entities up to a threshold — a technological/strategic sensitivity area [S2].

Strategic/Energy Security - Aligns nuclear expansion with India's energy security and net-zero (2070) commitments, diversifying the energy mix beyond coal and renewables [S5].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

Budget 2025–26: Announcement of Nuclear Energy Mission, 100 GW-by-2047 target, ₹20,000 crore SMR allocation [S5].
15 December 2025: SHANTI Bill, 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha [S2].
December 2025: Bill passed by Rajya Sabha after Lok Sabha passage [S3].
21 December 2025: Presidential assent — SHANTI Act, 2025 enacted [S3].
Workshop on SHANTI Act enabling 100 GW roadmap through Public–Private Partnership (post-enactment) [S4].
10 July 2026: NITI Aayog Stakeholder Consultation on Implementation of the SHANTI Act, 2025 [S1].

7. Prelims Hooks

SHANTI = Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India [S2].
SHANTI Act, 2025 received Presidential assent on 21 December 2025 [S3].
SHANTI Act replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 [S2].
NITI Aayog's Stakeholder Consultation on SHANTI Act implementation held on 10 July 2026 in New Delhi [S1].
Consultation chaired by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Member, NITI Aayog [S1].
Venue: Samrasta Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi [S1].
Civil nuclear damage liability under the Act ranges from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore, graded by installation type [S2].
National nuclear capacity target: 100 GW by 2047 [S5].
Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025–26 [S5].
₹20,000 crore allocated for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) under the Nuclear Energy Mission [S5].
India's long-term decarbonisation target referenced alongside nuclear expansion: net-zero by 2070 [S5].
SHANTI Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025 [S2].
The Act permits licences to Indian companies and government–private JVs, but not companies incorporated outside India [S2].
Ghanshyam Prasad is Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) — attended the consultation [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

GS-III: Infrastructure — Energy; Science & Technology — indigenous nuclear technology; Government policies and interventions.
GS-II: Statutory bodies, government policies for various sectors, issues arising from design/implementation of policies.
Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the significance of the SHANTI Act, 2025 in transforming India's nuclear energy governance. What implementation challenges must be addressed to achieve the 100 GW nuclear target by 2047?" 2. "Examine how the graded civil liability framework under the SHANTI Act, 2025 differs from the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, and assess its likely impact on private investment in nuclear power." 3. "Private sector participation in nuclear energy marks a paradigm shift in a historically state-monopolised strategic sector. Critically evaluate."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

Nuclear Energy Mission & Union Budget 2025–26 — parent policy framework and funding source for SHANTI Act goals.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — key technology vehicle for capacity expansion under the Act.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) — safety authorisation body central to licensing under the Act.
India's Net-Zero 2070 commitment — broader climate/energy context.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (repealed) — for comparative liability analysis.
NITI Aayog's role in sectoral policy coordination — institutional mechanism studied here.
Public–Private Partnership (PPP) models in strategic sectors — comparative governance angle.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

Confusing SHANTI Act's nodal coordination (NITI Aayog for implementation consultation) with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which remains the substantive nuclear regulator/policy body — NITI Aayog's role here is convening/coordination, not regulation [S1].
Mixing up the liability cap range (₹100 crore–₹3,000 crore) under SHANTI Act with the earlier flat cap under the 2010 Act.
Assuming full foreign private participation is allowed — the Act excludes companies incorporated outside India from licences [S2].
Confusing the 100 GW by 2047 nuclear target with India's broader 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 renewable energy target (different scheme/timeline).
Date confusion: Bill introduced December 2025, assented 21 December 2025; NITI Aayog implementation consultation is a later, separate event (10 July 2026).

11. Sources

[S1] Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau (NITI Aayog Stakeholder Consultation) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2283545 — (tier: 1)
[S2] The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2206598&reg=1&lang=1 — (tier: 1)
[S3] Rajya Sabha passes SHANTI Bill 2025, after it was passed by Lok Sabha — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2206211&reg=3&lang=2 — (tier: 1)
[S4] Workshop on SHANTI Act, 2025: Enabling India's 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap through Public–Private Partnership — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2253013&reg=3&lang=1 — (tier: 1)
[S5] A New Chapter in India's Nuclear Journey (Factsheet, PIB) — https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2026/apr/doc202647842201.pdf — (tier: 1)