- Why in news
- On 29 January 2026, the Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply what safeguards the SHANTI Act has for private participation in nuclear energy.
- What it is
- The SHANTI Act is the law that governs nuclear energy and ionising radiation in India. It allows private entities to take part in nuclear power and non-power uses under a Central Government licence and safety authorisation from the regulatory Board. It keeps sensitive activities under the Centre's exclusive control.
- Licence and safety authorisation
- Private participation needs a licence from the Central Government and a Safety Authorization from the regulatory Board.
- What private players may do
- They can build, own and operate nuclear power plants, fabricate nuclear fuel and carry out peaceful R&D.
- Non-power uses
- Ionising radiation can be used in medicine, agriculture and industry.
- Licensee duties
- Licensees must monitor and account for nuclear material, manage waste, pay prompt compensation for nuclear damage and handle decommissioning.
- Exclusive Central control
- Enrichment and isotopic separation, spent fuel management and heavy water production stay under the Centre.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Private capital and expertise can help expand nuclear power for clean energy and net-zero goals.
- Non-power uses in medicine, agriculture and industry can grow.
Problems
- Public trust and safety concerns over private operators of nuclear plants.
- Ensuring adequate compensation and clear liability for nuclear damage.
Way forward
- Strengthen the regulator's independence and capacity.
- Keep sensitive stages under state control and ensure transparent oversight of licensees.
Put in your answer
Reserved Central activities: Enrichment, spent fuel management and heavy water production stay with the Centre, balancing private entry with security.
Licensee responsibilities: Licensees bear duties for waste, compensation and decommissioning.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q16Should India expand nuclear energy; discuss facts and fears
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- 2018Prelims Q33Implications of ratifying IAEA Additional Protocol for India
- 2020Prelims Q55Why some Indian reactors are under IAEA safeguards and others are not
- 2026Prelims Q46Statements on IN-SPACe and private entities in space programme
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Under the SHANTI Act, private entities can build, own and operate nuclear power plants.
- 2.Private participation under the Act needs only a safety authorisation from the regulatory Board, with no Central Government licence.
- 3.Enrichment and isotopic separation of prescribed substances remain under the exclusive control of the Central Government.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Under the SHANTI Act, private entities can build, own and operate nuclear power plants.
True. Private entities may build, own and operate nuclear power plants.
2.Private participation under the Act needs only a safety authorisation from the regulatory Board, with no Central Government licence.
False. Both a Central Government licence and the Board's Safety Authorization are needed.
3.Enrichment and isotopic separation of prescribed substances remain under the exclusive control of the Central Government.
True. Enrichment, spent fuel management and heavy water production are exclusive Central activities.
4.The Act allows private entities to manage spent fuel and produce heavy water.
False. Spent fuel management and heavy water production are under exclusive Central control.
5.Licensees are responsible for paying prompt compensation to victims of nuclear incidents.
True. Licensees must pay prompt compensation for nuclear damage.
6.The Act permits private use of ionising radiation only for power generation, not for medicine or agriculture.
False. Private entities may also use ionising radiation in medicine, agriculture and industry.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The SHANTI Act opens nuclear energy to private participation under a Central licence and safety authorisation, while keeping sensitive activities with the Centre. Examine the main provisions of the Act and discuss the safeguards and challenges in involving the private sector in India's nuclear power programme.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.