Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025

Why in News

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025.
The Bill seeks to modernise India’s nuclear legal framework and attract private and foreign investment into nuclear power generation.

Acts Replaced

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010

Key Objectives

• Encourage private sector participation (Indian & foreign)
• Strengthen nuclear safety and regulatory oversight
• Rationalise liability framework while protecting victims
• Support expansion of clean, base-load nuclear energy

No-Fault Liability (Retained)

• Operator of a nuclear installation remains liable regardless of negligence
• Victims do not need to prove fault

Revised Liability Limits

• 2010 Act:
  • Flat cap of ₹1,500 crore for reactors ≥10 MW
• 2025 Bill:
  • Tiered liability structure:
    • ₹100 crore – ₹3,000 crore
    • Based on installed power capacity

Right to Recourse

• 2010 Act: allowed operators to recover compensation from suppliers for defective equipment or materials.
• 2025 Bill removes right to recourse on grounds of defective supply and addresses long-standing concerns of foreign suppliers

Expanded Territorial Coverage

• 2010 Act compensation limited to damage within India’s territory/jurisdiction.
• 2025 Bill extends coverage to nuclear damage in foreign territories, applicable if damage arises from incidents in India (subject to conditions)

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

• Given statutory recognition
• Mandated to:
  • Ensure safe use of radiation
  • Oversee nuclear safety and security

Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council

• Established to hear appeals against orders of:
  • Central Government
  • AERB

Further Appeals

• Appeals against Council decisions lie with the:
  • Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL)