Question 1

Private companies can now build and own nuclear weapons in India.

Accepted Answer

The Act strictly limits private participation to civil nuclear power generation and non-power civilian applications. Strategic and military nuclear programs remain exclusively under state control.

Question 2

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is a brand new institution created by the SHANTI Act.

Accepted Answer

The AERB has existed since 1983. The SHANTI Act merely elevates it from a subordinate executive body to an independent statutory authority.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025:
1. It repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 but retains the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 to ensure supplier accountability.
2. It grants statutory independence to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), separating it from the promotional oversight of the Department of Atomic Energy.
3. It allows private sector companies to build and operate civil nuclear power plants in India.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is incorrect because the SHANTI Act repeals BOTH the Atomic Energy Act 1962 AND the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010. Statement 2 is correct, as granting statutory status to the AERB ends its executive subordination. Statement 3 is correct, marking the historic end of the state monopoly on civil nuclear power generation.

Question 4

Match the pre-2025 nuclear governance features (List I) with the corresponding reforms under the SHANTI Act 2025 (List II):
List I
A. Section 17 of CLNDA 2010
B. AERB (1983 Executive Order)
C. NPCIL Monopoly
D. Dispute over AERB decisions

List II
1. Granted independent statutory status
2. Private sector allowed to own and operate reactors
3. Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council (AERAC)
4. Introduction of a graded, predictable supplier liability cap

Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3 — A pairs with 4: The controversial right of recourse against suppliers (Section 17 of CLNDA) was replaced with a graded liability cap to attract investment. B pairs with 1: AERB transitions from an executive body to a statutory one. C pairs with 2: The NPCIL monopoly is ended by allowing private civil reactors. D pairs with 3: AERAC is the newly created appellate body for disputes regarding AERB decisions.

Question 5

Assertion (A): The SHANTI Act 2025 introduces a predictable, graded liability cap for nuclear equipment suppliers.
Reason (R): Open-ended supplier liability under the previous Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) of 2010 had severely deterred foreign and private investment in India's nuclear sector.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. — Assertion A is true, as the new Act revises the liability framework to be more investor-friendly. Reason R is also true and correctly explains A; the infamous Section 17 of the CLNDA 2010 exposed suppliers to immense secondary liability, causing a long-standing deadlock in importing foreign reactors and attracting private capital. The SHANTI Act directly resolves this bottleneck.

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