**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Starred Question No. 52 raised by Dr. Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha regarding proposed amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The answer, provided on December 3, 2025, indicates that the Government is actively working on these amendments to facilitate private sector participation. The Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is in an advanced stage of processing.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendments & Private Sector Participation**
* The Government announced during Budget 2025 that it intends to facilitate active private sector participation by amending the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.
* **Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025**
* The Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is currently in an advanced stage of processing.
* Final comments and suggestions from various Ministries are being incorporated.
* The Ministry of Law and Justice is performing vetting for legal compliance.
* Policy directives of the Government are being incorporated into the Bill before approval.
* **Concerns Raised by Dr. Shashi Tharoor**
* The amendments are addressing the concerns raised by Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
* The exact modalities will be clarified after the draft is vetted and approved.
* **Tabling of Statement**
* A statement addressing points (a) to (e) of the question is laid on the Table of the House.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Private Sector**
* **Impact:** The amendments aim to facilitate greater involvement in the nuclear sector, potentially opening new opportunities for investment and participation.
* **Action Required:** Monitor progress of the Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 and assess potential opportunities and risks.
**Stakeholder: General Public**
* **Impact:** Concerns around accountability for nuclear safety and the rights of victims in case of nuclear incidents are addressed through the statement laid on the Table of the House.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministries and Departments)**
* **Impact:** Various ministries are involved in providing comments, suggestions, and vetting the Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide input on the Draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010: Indian legislation addressing liability for nuclear damage, subject to proposed amendments.
Atomic Energy Act, 1962: Indian legislation governing atomic energy, subject to proposed amendments.
Atomic Energy Bill 2025: Draft Indian legislation under processing stage, aiming to replace the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Ministry of Law and Justice: Indian ministry responsible for vetting the Atomic Energy Bill 2025 for legal compliances.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO – 52
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
AMENDMENTS TO THE CIVIL LIABILITY FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE ACT, 2010
AND THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962
*52. DR. SHASHI THAROOR
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has proposed amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear
Damage Act, 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to limit supplier liability including
defining a cap on equipment suppliers’ liability ahead of advancing nuclear cooperation
with foreign entities such as in agreements with the United States and France and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) the timeline by which these amendments are likely to be placed before Parliament and
implemented;
(c) whether any assessment has been made of the manner in which such amendments would
affect the accountability for nuclear safety and the rights of victims in case of a nuclear
incident and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the measures being considered to ensure that safety norms and regulatory oversight are
strengthened even as liability provisions are relaxed; and
(e) whether any compensation framework or insurance pool is being proposed or expanded
to address potential damages under the revised liability structure and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****Government of India
Department of Atomic Energy
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.52 FOR REPLY ON 03.12.2025 REGARDING
AMENDMENTS TO THE CIVIL LIABILITY FOR NUCLEAR DAMAGE ACT 2010 AND
THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962 ASKED BY DR. SHASHI THAROOR.
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(a)to(e) During Budget 2025 announcement, the Government has announced that active private
sector participation will be facilitated by undertaking amendments to Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.
The draft Atomic Energy Bill 2025 is currently in advanced stage of processing and
preparation with final comments and suggestions from various Ministries being
progressively incorporated along with concomitant vetting by Ministry of Law and
Justice for legal compliances. Policy directives of the Government with regard to
specific aspects of the Bill are being suitably incorporated before being put up for
approvals.
The exact modalities of the various aspects / concerns raised by The Hon’ble Member
are being addressed in the amendments proposed and the position on these will be made
clear once the draft gets vetted by the concerned ministries and is approved by the
Government.
****