• ¨   India has opened its nuclear energy sector to private Indian companies and foreign partners through the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025.

    ¨     The Act repealed the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

    ¨     The SHANTI Act allows private companies to build, own, and operate nuclear facilities under a regulated approval system.

    ¨     The Department of Atomic Energy issued draft rules under the SHANTI Act on 14 August 2026.

    ¨   Under the proposed rules, private companies can obtain in-principle approval for site preparation, land acquisition, and vendor selection before receiving a formal licence.

    ¨     The proposed framework also allows the import and use of foreign reactor technologies with proven operational records overseas.

    ¨     Regulators can stop the progress of a project at critical stages if required safety conditions are not fulfilled.

    ¨     India is pursuing a two-pronged nuclear expansion strategy under the Nuclear Energy Mission.

    ¨     India has set a target of achieving 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

    ¨     The strategy includes the development of indigenous 700 MWe nuclear reactors.

    ¨     India also plans to develop five Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033.

    ¨     Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are compact nuclear reactors designed for relatively smaller power output and modular deployment.

    ¨     Private-sector participation became visible on 2 May 2026, when Adani Power incorporated two nuclear-focused subsidiaries.

    ¨     The two subsidiaries are Rawatbhata-Raj Atomic Energy Ltd and Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy Ltd.

    ¨     These companies were created for potential nuclear projects in Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

    ¨     The SHANTI Act permits up to 49% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through joint ventures.

    ¨     The Act also provides a framework for private ownership and operation of nuclear power plants under government regulatory supervision.