Centre exempts nuclear power goods from customs duty for past imports
New Delhi, June 12
The government has exempted customs duty on imports of specified goods used for nuclear power generation for the period from April 1, 2019, to January 31, 2026.
The exemption was notified by the Ministry of Finance and applies retrospectively, effectively removing customs liability on eligible imports made during the nearly seven-year period.
According to the notification, the relief covers imports of non-irradiated fuel elements and cartridges used in nuclear reactors.
The government stated that non-levy of customs duty on such imports had been a generally followed practice during the period and has now been formally recognised through the latest order.
The decision follows an earlier notification issued in October 2025 that allowed duty-free imports of goods used for nuclear power generation on a prospective basis.
With the retrospective exemption now in place, entities that imported nuclear fuel-related components during the covered period will not be required to pay customs duty on those shipments.
The move is expected to primarily benefit Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), the state-run operator responsible for importing fuel assemblies for the country's nuclear reactor fleet.
In addition, the decision puts focus on companies linked to India's nuclear power ecosystem.
The latest notification comes as India continues to strengthen clean energy capacity and expand the role of nuclear power in its overall energy mix.
Earlier this week, the government had exempted petrol blended with higher levels of ethanol from excise duty, including fuel variants containing 22 per cent, 25 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent ethanol.
The excise duty was set at nil for ethanol-blended motor spirit conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards specifications, covering blends where ethanol content ranges from 22 per cent to 30 per cent by volume, according to the notification.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see clarity on duties, but I hope this also means better transparency in India's nuclear deals. Taxpayer money should be used wisely. More nuclear plants = more jobs in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat? 🤔
This is a smart regulatory streamlining. The fact that it covers both past and future imports shows the government is serious about scaling nuclear power. The ethanol duty exemption is also interesting—India's biofuel push is real!
Good move by the government! But I hope they also focus on nuclear waste disposal and safety. We saw what happened in Maharashtra last year with that small leak. Nuclear is clean, but only if done right. 🏭♻️
Interesting to see India streamlining its nuclear import duties. It's a clear signal to global suppliers like Russia and France that India is serious about expanding nuclear capacity. The retrospective element is unusual but pragmatic.
Another day, another exemption for big corporations. What about the common man's electricity bills? Nuclear power is expensive, and these duty exemptions are just hidden subsidies. We need more solar and wind—cheaper and safer! 🌞☁️
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