India's Nuclear Future: How a Historic Bill Aims to Transform Energy and Tech

The Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the promotion, regulation and expansion of nuclear energy and radiation applications in the country and produce 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047.

The Bill aims to strengthen India's nuclear power programme while enabling wider application of nuclear science and technology across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, water, food processing, industry, research and environmental protection. It also seeks to modernise the regulatory architecture in view of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-enabled nuclear and radiation applications.

The proposed legislation provides for a robust licensing and safety authorisation regime for the production, use and management of nuclear energy and radioactive substances. It lays down detailed provisions governing the establishment, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel fabrication facilities and radiation facilities. The Bill also opens avenues for participation by public sector entities, government companies, joint ventures and other companies, subject to strict national security and safety safeguards.

A key feature of the Bill is the statutory backing for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which is deemed to be constituted under the new law.

The AERB will function as the central regulator for nuclear safety, radiation protection, security and safeguards, with enhanced powers for inspection, investigation and enforcement. The Board is also mandated to ensure transparency through structured public outreach while protecting restricted information.

The Bill introduces an elaborate framework on duties and liabilities, including civil liability for nuclear damage. It caps the maximum liability for each nuclear incident at the rupee equivalent of 300 million Special Drawing Rights, with the Central Government assuming liability beyond the operator's limit in specified cases.

Provision has also been made for mandatory insurance or financial security by operators to cover potential liabilities.

In line with India's three-stage nuclear power programme and closed fuel cycle policy, the Bill reserves certain strategic activities, such as enrichment, reprocessing of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste management, exclusively for the Central Government or its wholly owned entities. At the same time, it exempts specified research, development and innovation activities from licensing requirements to promote scientific advancement and private-sector participation.

The legislation also provides for the establishment of specialised bodies such as the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council and the Nuclear Damage Claims Commission for adjudication of disputes and compensation claims arising from nuclear incidents. Stringent penalties and punishments have been prescribed for violations, along with powers for search, seizure and investigation.

The bill is intended to support India's clean energy transition, ensure round-the-clock power supply for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and facilitate the long-term utilisation of the country's abundant thorium resources. Once enacted, the proposed law will repeal and subsume certain existing provisions and establish a safe, secure and sustainable expansion of nuclear energy in India.

- ANI