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India Unveils Nuclear Power Bill to Fast-Track Clean Energy

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 6:03 GMT by Zee Business

India’s New Nuclear Energy Bill: A Fresh Push Toward Clean‑Power Ambitions

India’s energy mix has long been dominated by coal, but the government’s recent table of the Nuclear Power (Development and Regulation) Bill in the Lok Sabha marks a significant step toward reshaping that picture. The bill, first introduced in 2023 and now under scrutiny by parliament, seeks to streamline the regulatory framework for nuclear projects, extend the lifespan of existing reactors, and create a more robust safety and waste‑management system. Below is a concise rundown of the bill’s key elements and what they could mean for India’s long‑term clean‑power strategy.

1. Context: Why a New Bill?

India is committed to a net‑zero trajectory by 2070 and has set a target of 450 GW of electricity capacity by 2030. Nuclear power is seen as a critical bridge technology that can deliver baseload power with zero CO₂ emissions while the country scales up intermittent renewables. As of 2024, India operates 22 reactors (4.9 GW) and plans a further 12 (6.4 GW) in the pipeline. However, regulatory delays and fragmented approvals have hampered progress.

The bill addresses several systemic bottlenecks that have historically slowed nuclear development, such as overlapping authority between the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the Ministry of External Affairs, unclear timelines for licensing, and a patchwork approach to waste disposal. By bringing these issues under a single, streamlined legal framework, the government hopes to accelerate project execution without compromising safety.

2. Core Provisions of the Bill

a. Licensing & Approval Reforms

• Unified Licensing Authority: The AERB will be empowered to issue all types of nuclear licenses (construction, operation, decommissioning) without requiring separate clearances from the Ministry of External Affairs or the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
• Fast‑Track Timelines: A fixed 12‑month window for the initial review of any licensing application. Subsequent approvals are slated to follow a 6‑month schedule, with clear escalation routes if delays occur.
• Public Consultation Mechanism: A new statutory “Public Consultation Committee” will be set up to review projects and address stakeholder concerns, including environmental groups and local communities.

b. Safety & Security Enhancements

• Mandatory Safety Review Panels: Each reactor must undergo a biennial safety audit by an independent panel, separate from the AERB’s technical review, ensuring that safety protocols evolve with global best practices.
• Cyber‑Security Protocols: The bill mandates that all nuclear facilities adopt a national cyber‑security framework to guard against data breaches and ransomware attacks—a critical requirement in an era of increasing digitalization.

c. Waste Management & Decommissioning

• National Waste Management Authority (NWMA): A dedicated body will oversee the collection, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The authority will be required to set up intermediate‑term storage facilities at all reactors, with a goal of a national repository by 2035.
• Decommissioning Roadmap: The bill outlines a step‑by‑step decommissioning plan for all reactors slated for retirement by 2050, including financial guarantees and technology transfer agreements.

d. Economic Incentives

• Tax Exemptions for Investment: The bill proposes a 10‑year tax holiday for nuclear‑power projects financed through domestic bonds, with a subsequent 5‑year partial tax exemption to encourage foreign direct investment.
• Cross‑Sector Subsidies: A 15 % subsidy on the import of nuclear technology and materials, aimed at reducing the cost barrier for domestic builders.

3. Stakeholder Reactions

• Industry Voice: The India Nuclear Power Association (INPA) welcomed the reforms, citing that a unified licensing process would reduce bureaucratic delays. “We’re optimistic that the new timelines will translate into faster construction and commissioning,” said INPA’s executive director, Ranjit Kumar.
• Environmental NGOs: While some groups expressed concerns about rushed approvals potentially compromising safety, others noted that the mandatory independent audits and waste‑management provisions were reassuring.
• Political Landscape: The bill received broad bipartisan support, with key opposition parties urging the government to ensure that safety remains the priority. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the bill will not alter the existing framework of nuclear cooperation with Russia and the United States.

4. Implications for India’s Clean‑Energy Path

1. Accelerated Nuclear Expansion: If the bill passes, India could see a faster addition of 10–12 reactors in the next decade, delivering up to 6 GW of low‑carbon power.
2. Grid Stability & Integration: Baseline nuclear capacity will enhance grid reliability, allowing renewables to play a larger share without risking outages.
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint: With nuclear power’s CO₂ emissions at ~12 g CO₂/kWh (compared to 900 g for coal), a shift toward nuclear could help India meet its 2030 and 2070 emissions targets more comfortably.
4. International Collaboration: The bill’s open stance on foreign investment and technology transfer could strengthen ties with the United States, Russia, and European nuclear partners, potentially easing India’s access to advanced reactor designs such as small modular reactors (SMRs).

5. Looking Ahead

The bill’s passage in Parliament will trigger a cascade of policy actions—from budget allocations to the establishment of the National Waste Management Authority. The Indian government has indicated that it will start the first round of nuclear projects under the new framework by 2025, with the aim of completing the decommissioning roadmap by 2050.

In sum, the Nuclear Power (Development and Regulation) Bill is not merely a legislative exercise; it is a strategic pivot that could help India balance its growing energy demand with the imperatives of climate change and energy security. Whether the bill delivers on its promise of swift, safe, and clean nuclear expansion remains to be seen, but its introduction is a clear signal that India is ready to step up its nuclear ambitions as part of a broader clean‑energy portfolio.