Context:
- India’s nuclear power programme has received renewed momentum through the proposed SHANTI Bills, aimed at reforming the nuclear liability framework and enabling greater private and foreign participation.
- The move seeks to address long-standing concerns arising from India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which has constrained nuclear expansion.
Key Highlights:
- Background of Nuclear Liability Issue:
- India’s 2010 nuclear liability law places supplier liability, unlike global norms.
- This followed the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, reflecting strong public and political emphasis on victim compensation and accountability.
- However, it discouraged foreign suppliers and private investors.
- What are SHANTI Bills?:
- A proposed legislative framework to rebalance liability, clarify compensation mechanisms, and align India with international nuclear norms.
- Focus on risk-sharing, insurance-backed compensation, and legal certainty.
- Institutional Reforms Proposed:
- Enhanced role and statutory strength for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
- Clear separation of policy-making, regulation, and operation.
- Strengthening safety oversight while enabling expansion.
- Strategic Objectives:
- Scale up clean, base-load nuclear power to meet climate commitments.
- Enable Make in India in nuclear manufacturing and services.
- Position India as a reliable nuclear power exporter in the long term.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue & Causes:
- Slow nuclear capacity addition due to liability concerns.
- Investor reluctance caused by open-ended supplier liability.
- Key Laws & Institutions:
- Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
- Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
- Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) – India is a signatory.
- Benefits:
- Faster nuclear capacity expansion.
- Improved investor confidence.
- Strengthening India’s clean energy mix.
- Challenges:
- Public trust deficit on nuclear safety.
- Balancing victim compensation with commercial viability.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Conceptual Clarity:
- Nuclear liability: Legal responsibility for nuclear damage compensation.
- Base-load power: Continuous power supply essential for grid stability.
- Nuclear energy as a low-carbon transition fuel.
- Governance & Policy Perspective:
- Over-regulation can deter innovation; under-regulation risks safety.
- SHANTI Bills attempt a middle path between accountability and growth.
- Aligns with India’s net-zero by 2070 and energy security goals.
- Way Forward:
- Transparent public communication on nuclear safety.
- Time-bound compensation and insurance mechanisms.
- Capacity building of regulators and emergency response systems.
- Gradual integration of private sector under strict oversight.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper II: Governance – Regulatory reforms, institutional accountability
- GS Paper III: Energy security, nuclear energy, climate change
- GS Paper IV: Ethics – Accountability, public safety, risk governance