Examine how private sector participation in nuclear energy, as enabled by the SHANTI Act, can help India meet its 2047 nuclear capacity and 2070 decarbonisation targets.

Q. Examine how private sector participation in nuclear energy, as enabled by the SHANTI Act, can help India meet its 2047 nuclear capacity and 2070 decarbonisation targets. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

The SHANTI Act, 2025 — Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India — repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, ending the state monopoly by permitting Indian companies and joint ventures to hold nuclear licences [1]. This structural opening is central to India's goal of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 and net-zero by 2070.

Unlocking capital and capacity for 2047 - Nuclear plants are highly capital-intensive; private and joint-venture equity relieves the exclusive fiscal burden on the Department of Atomic Energy, allowing parallel project pipelines rather than sequential public builds [1]. - Private entities may now build, own and operate plants, fabricate fuel, and manufacture equipment — widening the domestic supply chain and construction bandwidth needed for a multi-fold capacity jump [2]. - The tiered liability regime (₹100–3,000 crore by installation capacity, replacing a flat ₹1,500 crore cap) with removal of supplier liability makes project risk bankable and revives stalled foreign-supplier tie-ups [1].

Enabling the 2070 decarbonisation pathway - Nuclear provides firm, dispatchable low-carbon baseload, complementing variable solar and wind and reducing reliance on coal for round-the-clock demand. - Private R&D in nuclear science for peaceful purposes is now permitted, opening space for small modular reactors and industrial process-heat applications relevant to hard-to-abate sectors [2].

Safeguards and remaining constraints - Sovereign control is retained over the fuel cycle, enrichment, heavy water and waste management, and the AERB is given statutory status with a chairperson and up to eight members — insulating safety regulation from commercial pressure [1]. - Yet delivery depends on subordinate rules still under formulation, uranium supply security, land acquisition and public trust after Kudankulam-type protests [2].

Thus the Act converts nuclear expansion from a purely state project into a regulated public-private mission. Timely notification of rules, transparent licensing and a well-resourced statutory AERB will determine whether liberalisation translates into megawatts — making nuclear a credible pillar of India's SDG-7 and net-zero commitments.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. PRS Legislative Research — Bill Summary, SHANTI Bill, 2025 — repeal of the 1962 and 2010 Acts, private/JV licensing, tiered ₹100–3,000 crore liability, statutory AERB composition 2. PIB — The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 — private scope to build/own/operate plants, fuel fabrication and R&D; government retention of fuel cycle and waste management; ongoing stakeholder engagement during rule-making