UPSC Notes

Nuclear Energy Policy and Regulatory Framework in India

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is vital for understanding India's approach to governance in strategic sectors, the evolution of its legal and regulatory mechanisms, and the role of statutory bodies. It highlights policy shifts towards private sector involvement, international alignment in liability, and the commitment to achieving ambitious energy targets through a robust framework.

India's nuclear energy program is governed by a comprehensive policy and legal framework aimed at ensuring safe, secure, and peaceful applications of nuclear technology while promoting indigenous development and meeting energy demands. This framework includes specific legislation, missions, and independent regulatory bodies to oversee all aspects from research to power generation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

SHANTI Act, 2025

Enacted by the Ministry of Law and Justice, it's a single legislation enabling private sector participation in nuclear energy research and innovation under license, while retaining sovereign control.

Regulatory Strengthening

The SHANTI Act accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for stringent oversight and reforms the liability regime to align with international conventions and facilitate wider participation.

Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM)

Announced in Union Budget 2025-26, NEM aims to design, develop, and operationalize at least five indigenous SMRs and achieve 100 GWe nuclear power generation capacity by 2047.

AERB's Role

AERB specifies safety requirements for various reactor types (LWR, PHWR, SFR) based on international benchmarks (IAEA) and establishes technology-neutral regulatory processes for licensing and safety assessment, applicable to advanced reactors like SMRs.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaNuclear Policy
Conceptual areaRegulatory Bodies
Conceptual areaPublic-Private Partnership

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Law and JusticeEnacts legislation
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)Regulates, ensures safety
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)Approves policy, projects
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • SHANTI Act 2025 enables private sector in nuclear R&D.
  • Grants statutory status to AERB for regulatory oversight.
  • Reforms liability regime for wider participation.
  • NEM aims for 100 GWe nuclear power by 2047, including SMRs.
  • AERB ensures safety standards aligned with IAEA benchmarks.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutoryAERB is a statutory body, not constitutional.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Nuclear PolicyRegulatory BodiesPublic-Private Partnership

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEPLOYMENT OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

05 Aug 2026 · India's nuclear energy sector is governed by the Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM) and the SHANTI Act, 2025. The SHANTI Act enables private sector participation, grants statutory status to AERB for regulatory oversight, and reforms the liability regime. AERB ensures safety standards aligned with international benchmarks for all reactor types, including SMRs.

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Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Nuclear Energy Policy and Regulatory Framework in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Nuclear Energy Policy and Regulatory Framework in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

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