NITI Aayog has begun stakeholder consultations to finalize the rollout of the SHANTI Act 2025. The discussions focused on creating a regulatory framework for nuclear energy, attracting foreign investment, and expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities for the sector.
NITI Aayog held a high-level consultation in New Delhi to discuss the implementation strategy for the SHANTI Act 2025. This legislation is a significant development for India’s nuclear energy sector, aiming to transition the industry toward a more structured and investment-friendly environment.
Building the Regulatory and Financial Foundation
A primary focus of the meeting was the creation of a clear legislative and regulatory framework. For investors, this is a crucial step as it aims to define rules regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and statutory compliance. The government is working to balance the need for global capital with the requirements of national security, which will eventually determine how easily private or foreign players can participate in nuclear power projects.
Financial and risk management mechanisms were also central to the talks. The development of specialized insurance products for long-term nuclear projects is being explored, as these are often capital-intensive and require long gestation periods. Additionally, the government is prioritizing public awareness to ensure community acceptance, which has historically been a challenge for large-scale energy projects in India.
Scaling Domestic Manufacturing and Workforce
The third pillar of the discussion was the strengthening of domestic manufacturing and capacity building. To reduce dependence on imports and build a reliable supply chain, the government is assessing the current readiness of Indian manufacturing for nuclear-grade components. The consultation highlighted the need for specialized training programs to develop a workforce capable of managing sophisticated nuclear operations. This shift toward local capacity could impact companies involved in heavy engineering, power equipment manufacturing, and industrial infrastructure.
Key Figures and Next Steps
The session was chaired by NITI Aayog member Prof. Abhay Karandikar and attended by prominent figures including Power Secretary Pankaj Agrawal and NTPC Ltd CMD Gurdeep Singh. The presence of leadership from major public sector energy companies like NTPC highlights the government’s intent to integrate the SHANTI Act into the broader national power strategy.
Investors and industry observers will now monitor the release of the official draft rules, which will provide more clarity on how the Act intends to incentivize private sector involvement. Other monitorables include the timeline for insurance policy development and any specific production-linked incentives that may be announced to support domestic manufacturing for nuclear-related infrastructure.