**Executive Summary**
This document is a summary of the SHANTI Act, enacted to promote nuclear energy development and safe usage, and outlines safeguards under the Act. It allows private sector participation in nuclear activities under Central Government licensing. The information was provided by the minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions and prime minister's office Dr. Jitendra Singh on January 29, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of the SHANTI Act:**
* Promotes the development of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation for power generation and other applications.
* Ensures safe and secure utilisation of nuclear energy.
* **Private Sector Participation:**
* Allows private sector involvement in setting up nuclear facilities and related activities.
* Private entities can participate in building, owning, and operating nuclear power plants.
* Private sector can fabricate nuclear fuel and conduct R&D in nuclear science and technology.
* Authorised private sector can use ionizing radiation for non-power applications.
* **Responsibilities of License Holders:**
* Entities licensed by the Central Government are responsible for continuous monitoring.
* License holders are responsible for accounting and surveillance of nuclear material.
* License holders are responsible for safe management of radioactive waste.
* License holders are responsible for payment of compensation for nuclear damages.
* License holders are responsible for the safe operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
* **Central Government Control:**
* The Central Government maintains exclusive control over specific activities and facilities like enrichment and isotopic separation.
* Central government maintains exclusive control over spent fuel management and heavy water production.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Government**
* **Impact:** Retains control over crucial nuclear activities and facilities.
* **Action Required:** Maintain regulatory oversight and licensing procedures for private sector participants.
**Private Sector**
* **Impact:** Enabled to participate in nuclear energy production, research, and related activities.
* **Action Required:** Obtain necessary licenses and comply with safety regulations and monitoring requirements.
**Public**
* **Impact:** Benefits from the development of nuclear energy, with safeguards in place for safety and compensation.
* **Action Required:** None specified.
Key Entities Referenced
SHANTI Act: Enacted for the promotion and development of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation, allowing private sector participation under licensing and safety authorization.
Department of Atomic Energy: The publishing department for the document regarding the SHANTI Act.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION : SAFEGUARDS
UNDER SHANTI ACT
प्रव तथ: 29 JAN 2026 4:56PM by PIB Delhi
SHANTI Act has been enacted for the promotion and development of nuclear energy and ionising
radiation for nuclear power generation, and other non-power applications, and for its safe and secure
utilisation. The SHANTI Act allows private sector participation for setting up a nuclear facility, or to
carry out activities for the production, use and disposal of nuclear energy under a license from the
Central Government and Safety Authorization of the regulatory Board.
The salient features of SHANTI Act concerning private sector are that they can participate to build,
own and operate nuclear power plants; fabricate nuclear fuel; and carry out R&D in the field of
nuclear science and Technology for peaceful purposes. They can also use ionizing radiation for non-
power applications such as medicine, agriculture, industrial applications etc.
The entities who have been granted license from Central Government to set up nuclear facilities or
to carry out activities pertaining to nuclear energy will be responsible for continuous monitoring,
accounting and surveillance of the nuclear material, safe management of radioactive waste generated,
radiation damages caused, payment of prompt compensation for nuclear damages to the victims of
nuclear incidents, safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities including decommissioning at the end
of life cycle of a nuclear facility.
The SHANTI Act also provide for the exclusive control of the Central Government over certain
activities and facilities like enrichment and isotopic separation of prescribed substance, spent fuel
management, production of heavy water etc.
This information was given by the minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions and
prime minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the rajya sabha today.
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