National Current Affairs
Nuclear Energy Transformation Bill, 2025
- 16 Dec 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, in Parliament to modernise India’s nuclear energy legal framework.
Key Points
- New Legal Framework: The Bill proposes a comprehensive law for nuclear energy by repealing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Energy Security: It aims to expand nuclear installed capacity to ensure reliable, clean and round-the-clock power for future needs such as data centres.
- Decarbonisation Goal: The Bill aligns with India’s long-term climate commitments, including a target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Private Participation: It encourages greater involvement of the domestic industry and the private sector in nuclear power development.
- Regulatory Mechanism: The Bill introduces updated provisions for licensing, safety authorisation, suspension and cancellation to strengthen regulatory oversight.
- Civil Liability: A revised civil liability framework for nuclear damage is proposed to enhance safety, accountability and compensation mechanisms.
- Institutional Setup: The Bill provides for bodies such as the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, Claims Commissioners and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission.
- Technology Coverage: Nuclear energy and radiation-based technologies are brought under a modernised regulatory structure.
- National Transition: The Bill reflects India’s intent to modernise nuclear governance while balancing clean energy expansion, safety and public interest.
Nuclear Energy
- First Plant: Tarapur, Maharashtra (1969)
- Largest Site: Rajasthan – maximum nuclear power generation.
- Other Key Sites: Kakrapar (Gujarat), Kudankulam & Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (U.P.).
- Reactor Types: PHWR (majority), BWR (Tarapur), Fast Breeder Reactor (Kalpakkam).
- Fuel: Uranium & Thorium (India has largest Thorium reserves).
