**Executive Summary**
This report details the impact of the 2008 Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement on India’s energy sector as submitted to the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026. It highlights a significant increase in nuclear power capacity and generation facilitated by international cooperation and fuel imports. The document also notes the enactment of the SHANTI Act to resolve long-standing nuclear liability concerns affecting commercial agreements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Growth in Nuclear Power Capacity and Generation**
* Total nuclear power generation increased from 16,956 MU in 2007-08 to 56,681 MU in 2024-25.
* Nuclear power capacity has risen from 4,020 MW in 2007-08 to the current capacity of 8,780 MW.
* Presently, sixteen reactors with a combined capacity of 6,380 MW are under IAEA safeguards and utilize imported fuel.
**International Cooperation and Ongoing Projects**
* India has signed Inter-Governmental Agreements with several partner countries for technology and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
* Four reactors (KKNPP 3&4 and KKNPP 5&6), totaling 4,000 MW, are currently under construction in collaboration with the Russian Federation.
* Designated projects in Jaitapur (with France) and Kovvada (with the USA) faced delays due to previous nuclear liability issues.
**Legislative Reforms and Liability Framework**
* The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act of 2010 contained provisions in sections 17(b) and 46 that were not aligned with international frameworks.
* These provisions caused foreign suppliers to have apprehensions regarding the supply of nuclear reactors.
* The newly enacted SHANTI Act aligns India’s civil liability provisions with international standards, which is expected to address supplier concerns and finalize commercial agreements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Foreign Nuclear Suppliers (specifically France and the USA)**
**Impact**
Suppliers had previously expressed apprehension and delayed commercial agreements for the Jaitapur and Kovvada projects due to misalignments between the CLND Act and the international civil liability framework.
**Action Required**
Suppliers are expected to move forward with the conclusion of commercial agreements for the setting up of nuclear power projects now that the SHANTI Act has aligned liability provisions with international standards.
**Department of Atomic Energy / Indian Government**
**Impact**
The government has successfully increased domestic energy security through a substantial rise in electricity generation and the management of sixteen reactors under IAEA safeguards using imported fuel.
**Action Required**
The Department must oversee the continued construction of the KKNPP reactors and leverage the SHANTI Act to finalize pending agreements with foreign partners to further expand nuclear capacity.
Key Entities Referenced
India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement of 2008: The foundational agreement that enabled India to import nuclear fuel and establish new reactors through foreign cooperation.
SHANTI Act: Legislation enacted to align India's civil nuclear liability provisions with the international framework, resolving concerns of foreign suppliers.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010: The primary law providing compensation for nuclear incidents, which previously contained provisions that hindered commercial agreements with foreign suppliers.
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver: An international authorization that enabled India to enter into cooperation agreements and significantly increase its nuclear power generation.
IAEA safeguards: The international monitoring framework under which sixteen Indian nuclear reactors are currently fueled by imported fuel.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPACT OF INDO–US
NUCLEAR AGREEMENT
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:55PM by PIB Delhi
The India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement of 2008 and following international agreements for cooperation in
nuclear energy enabled import of fuel for use in reactors under IAEA safeguards and setting up of new
nuclear power reactors with foreign cooperation. As a result, presently sixteen reactors (excluding RAPS-
1, 100 MW) with a capacity of 6380 MW under IAEA safeguards are being fuelled by imported fuel. This
has led to substantial increase in the nuclear electricity generation.
India has signed several Inter Governmental Agreements with key partner countries for Cooperation in
peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy including technology cooperation.
The conclusion of international cooperation agreements following the NSG waiver has enabled increased
total nuclear power generation from 16956 MU in 2007-08 to 56681 MU in 2024-25. The nuclear power
capacity has since increased from 4020 MW in 2007-08 to 8780 MW at present.
Four reactors, KKNPP 3&4 (2X1000 MW) and KKNPP 5&6 (2X1000 MW) being set up in cooperation
with Russian Federation are presently under construction.
India had enacted the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act in 2010 which provides for
compensation to the victims of nuclear incident / accident. The CLND Act has certain provisions like
right of recourse against the supplier [section 17(b)] and the effect of any other law for time being in
force [section 46] which are not aligned with the international civil liability framework. Due to these
sections the foreign suppliers have apprehensions in supplying nuclear reactors to India. Issues related to
nuclear liability had delayed conclusion of commercial agreements for setting up nuclear power projects
at Jaitapur in Maharashtra and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh which were designated to be set up in
cooperation with France & USA respectively. With the enactment of SHANTI Act, the provisions of civil
liability is now aligned with international liability framework. With the enactment of the SHANTI Act,
these issues are expected to be addressed.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions & Prime Minister's Office , Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April 2026.
*****
NKR/JKP/SG
(Release ID: 2248443) Visitor Counter : 232
Read this release in: Urdu , ही