Page 53 - NIS English 16-31 Jan, 2026

Nuclear Energy | NATION

No Compromise on Nuclear
Safety Everything Clear in the Bill
n Now a Law for Safety: Safety is no longer just a
“good practice,” but a strict legal obligation. All safety
regulations are now enshrined in a single, clear, and
unified law.
n Strong Nuclear “Oversight Body”: The SHANTI
Bill grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board (AERB). It now has the legal
authority to inspect any nuclear plant, detect defects,
and immediately shut it down if safety standards are
not met.
n Equal Rules for All: Private companies will also have
to go through a rigorous multi-stage licensing process, The passage of the
whether selecting a site, constructing, or commencing
operations. SHANTI Bill is a significant
n Emphasis on New Generation Safety: The bill transformative moment for
promotes small modular reactors (SMRs), which have our technology landscape—
passive safety systems. This reduces the risk of human
error. my gratitude to the MPs who
n Clear licensing rules: Who can build and operate a supported its passage. From
nuclear plant is now clearly defined. Accountability safely operating artificial
becomes completely clear.
n High-risk functions will remain with the central intelligence to enabling green
government: The SHANTI Bill allows private manufacturing, this bill provides
participation in some areas, but highly sensitive decisive momentum to the clean
functions like the fuel cycle will remain under the
control of the central government. energy future of the country
n Safety mandatory at every stage: Safety inspections and the world. It also opens up
are now legally required at every stage, from plant numerous opportunities for the
installation to decommissioning. private sector and our youth.
n Permission required before every work: Any work that
could pose a radiation risk will require prior special Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
safety clearance.

THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN FOSTERING NATIONAL INTEREST
COMPENSATION WITHOUT COMPROMISING NATIONAL
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that the bill INTEREST
establishes graded liability limits to encourage partic- India will adopt only those international best
ipation by small investors. There will be no reduction practices that are relevant to the country’s spe-
in compensation to victims. If the damage caused by cific circumstances and interests. In this process,
an accident exceeds the operator’s prescribed liabili- India’s strategic autonomy, national interests, or
ty limit, the government will provide full and effective conventional strengths will not be compromised in
compensation through Nuclear Liability Fund and in- any way. The SHANTI Bill is strictly limited to civilian
ternational agreements. Furthermore, the definition nuclear energy use, with uranium enrichment levels
of “nuclear damage” has been expanded to explicitly limited to the reactor’s requirements. It is not in
include environmental damage. any way connected to weapons-grade activities.

January 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 51