The Indian government has announced a zero customs duty on imports of goods required for nuclear power projects. This policy aims to reduce project costs and the unit cost of electricity generated, thereby making nuclear power projects more viable and economically attractive. The exemption is expected to encourage wider private participation in the sector, particularly in the context of the SHANTI Act, 2025.
Key equipment covered under this zero-duty regime includes critical components such as Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs), Steam Generators (SGs), Pressurizers, Turbines, and other related equipment for Light Water Reactors being established with foreign collaboration. Additionally, the exemption will streamline customs clearance processes, leading to faster delivery of imported components.
This initiative is projected to accelerate the addition of nuclear energy capacity, supporting the national goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 and facilitating the transition towards Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The release ID is 2238299.
Key Entities Referenced
SHANTI Act, 2025: Legislation providing the backdrop for wider private participation in nuclear projects.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State providing information on customs duty exemptions for the nuclear sector.
Department of Atomic Energy: Government department responsible for atomic energy in India.
Lok Sabha: Lower house of the Parliament of India, where the written reply was submitted.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ZERO CUSTOM DUTY
ON IMPORTS FOR NUCLEAR SECTOR
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
The Zero customs duty on the imports of goods required for nuclear power projects will result in
reduction of the project cost and the unit cost of electricity generated. This will make the projects more
viable.
The customs duty exemption on imports of goods required for Nuclear Power Projects will make the
projects more economically viable and result in reduced tariffs for the consumers. This will also enable
wider private participation in backdrop of SHANTI Act, 2025.
The categories of equipment expected to be covered under the zero custom duty regime are critical
equipment such as Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs), Steam Generators (SGs), Pressurizers, Turbines and
other related equipment for Light Water Reactors being set up with foreign cooperation
The custom duty exemption on imported components will reduce timelines involved in custom clearances
and result in faster deliveries of equipment to projects.
The customs duty exemption will augment addition of nuclear energy at faster pace thereby achieving the
goals of 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047 and clean energy transition towards Net Zero carbon
emissions by the year 2070.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology
and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on
Wednesday.
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NKR/AK
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Read this release in: Urdu