Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear energy for Transforming India (SHANTI).

SHANTI Bill 2025: Energy for Development, Stability, and a Peaceful Future

Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear energy for Transforming India (SHANTI). It’s a well-chosen acronym because it also carries the meaning of “peace, stability, and balance,” which aligns nicely. India is moving steadily on the path of development. As our population grows and our economy expands, the demand for electricity continues to rise. Power is needed everywhere, at home, in schools, hospitals, industries, transport, and digital services. At the same time, people rightly expect clean air, environmental safety, and a secure future for their children. Achieving development without disturbing social and environmental balance is one of India’s greatest challenges.

The SHANTI Bill, 2025 addresses this challenge in both name and purpose. The word Shanti in Indian thought means peace, stability, and harmony. In the context of energy, it represents a calm, steady, and reliable power supply that supports progress without harming the environment or society.

India is rapidly expanding solar and wind energy, which are essential for a clean future. However, these sources depend on natural conditions and cannot provide uninterrupted power at all times. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, can supply electricity continuously, day and night, without emitting carbon dioxide. This stable and clean nature of nuclear power aligns closely with the idea of Shanti, quiet, dependable, and balanced energy for the nation.

India has committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070, a pledge made at COP26 (26th Conference of the Parties) under the UNFCCC  (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in line with the Paris Agreement.

This is not just an international promise, but a responsibility towards future generations of Indians. Without a strong base of clean, reliable, and scalable energy such as nuclear power, fulfilling this commitment would be extremely difficult. The SHANTI Bill aims to establish a robust legal and institutional framework to support this long-term and peaceful transition to clean energy, ensuring energy security while protecting the environment.

The Bill updates India’s nuclear laws to allow safe and responsible growth of nuclear power. Earlier, only government companies could build and operate nuclear power plants. Under the SHANTI Bill, private companies and joint ventures are also allowed to participate, but under strict regulation. Importantly, the government retains full control over sensitive areas such as nuclear fuel, radioactive waste, and national security. This ensures that growth happens with caution, responsibility, and balance, the core elements of Shanti.

Public safety remains a top priority in the bill. The bill strengthens nuclear safety by giving legal authority to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, which monitors nuclear plants and enforces safety standards. Making the regulator accountable to Parliament increases transparency and public trust. Modern nuclear technology is designed with multiple safety systems, ensuring that energy generation remains secure and controlled.

For the common citizen, the benefits of nuclear energy are significant. A stable power supply for nuclear power plant supports hospitals, water systems, transportation, education, and industry. Reduced dependence on coal lowers pollution and improves public health. Cleaner energy also means a healthier environment and greater social stability. These outcomes directly contribute to a peaceful and orderly society, reflecting the true spirit of Shanti.

The SHANTI Bill also recognizes the role of education and skilled manpower. India’s universities already teach nuclear science and related subjects. As nuclear energy expands, students trained in these fields can contribute to power generation, healthcare, research, and safety regulation. This creates meaningful employment while strengthening national self-reliance.

Thus , the SHANTI Bill is not only about nuclear power or energy. It is about peaceful development, energy stability, sustainability, and environmental balance. Without such reforms, achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat@2047, prosperous, clean, and secure, would be extremely challenging. The SHANTI Bill, 2025 thus carries a deeper message. It seeks to ensure that India’s progress is powered not by short-term solutions, but by steady, responsible, and peaceful energy for generations to come.

“The author of this blog (Prof. Dr. B P. Singh) is an experimental nuclear physicist working at the Physics Department, Aligarh Muslim University. He is actively involved in science popularization, especially promoting nuclear techniques for the betterment of mankind and societal development.”