Jitendra Singh tables bill to overhaul India’s nuclear energy law, proposes repeal of 1962 and 2010 Acts

New Delhi, December 15: Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Monday introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 in Parliament, signalling a major overhaul of India’s legal framework governing the nuclear energy sector.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, replacing them with a single, comprehensive law designed to align nuclear governance with India’s current and future energy requirements.

According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill, sustained investment in research and development has enabled India to achieve self-reliance across the nuclear fuel cycle and operate its nuclear power programme in a safe and responsible manner. Building on this experience, the government aims to significantly scale up nuclear capacity to strengthen clean energy security and ensure reliable round-the-clock power for emerging needs such as data centres and future-ready technologies.

The bill is closely linked to India’s long-term climate and energy transition goals, including the target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and building 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047. To meet these objectives, the legislation proposes fuller utilisation of indigenous nuclear resources and enables greater participation of both public and private sector entities, while positioning India as an active contributor to the global nuclear energy ecosystem.

At the regulatory level, the bill introduces a new licensing and safety authorisation framework for specified persons engaged in the production or use of nuclear energy, with clearly defined grounds for suspension and cancellation. It also brings the use of nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, food and agriculture, industry and research under a unified regulatory regime, while exempting research, development and innovation activities from licensing requirements.

The proposed law includes a revised civil liability framework for nuclear damage and grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. It also strengthens provisions related to safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance and emergency preparedness.

To improve grievance redressal and claims management, the bill provides for new institutional mechanisms, including an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, appointment of claims commissioners and the establishment of a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for cases involving severe nuclear damage. The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity is proposed as the appellate authority under the framework.

By tabling the bill, the government has indicated its intent to modernise nuclear governance in step with India’s energy transition, technological advancement and international commitments. The proposed legislation seeks to balance expansion of nuclear power with robust safety oversight, accountability and public interest, positioning nuclear energy as a key pillar of India’s low-carbon growth strategy.