Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday intended to introduce the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, seeking the House’s approval to take it up for discussion along with its proposed amendments and pass it into law, reported ANI.
The draft legislation is aligned with India’s long-term strategy on clean energy and climate action. As outlined in the accompanying statement, the Bill supports the country’s decarbonisation pathway aimed at 2070 and sets an ambitious goal of building 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
To achieve these milestones, the proposed law focuses on better utilisation of domestic nuclear resources and encourages participation from both public and private players. It also aims to position India as an active and responsible stakeholder in the global nuclear energy landscape.
On the regulatory front, the Bill establishes a clear framework for licensing and safety approvals for designated entities engaged in nuclear energy production and use, while defining conditions under which such authorisations may be suspended or revoked. It brings nuclear and radiation-based applications in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, industry and research under formal regulation, even as it excludes research, development and innovation activities from mandatory licensing.
The legislation also introduces a reworked and more practical civil liability regime for nuclear damage and grants statutory authority to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. In addition, it seeks to reinforce systems related to safety, security, safeguards, quality control and emergency preparedness.
New institutional mechanisms are proposed under the Bill, including the establishment of an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, the appointment of Claims Commissioners and the formation of a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving major nuclear incidents. Appeals in such matters would be handled by the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.
Through this move, the government has indicated its intention to update and strengthen nuclear governance in keeping with India’s evolving energy transition, technological advancements and international commitments. The proposed legislation, according to the release, aims to strike a careful balance between expanding nuclear power capacity and ensuring safety, accountability and public interest, integrating nuclear energy into the country’s broader push for energy security and a low-carbon future.
