Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Thursday that the government will shortly shatter the iron-clad state monopoly over nuclear power generation that has existed since the Atomic Energy Act of 1962. For the first time in independent India’s history, private corporations will be legally permitted to invest in, construct, own and operate nuclear reactors, marking one of the boldest economic reforms in the strategic energy domain.
Speaking through video conference at the inauguration of Skyroot Aerospace’s Infinity campus in Hyderabad, the Prime Minister revealed that legislative groundwork is already complete to achieve a tenfold expansion of atomic power from the present 8.8 gigawatts to a staggering 100 gigawatts by 2047. He emphasised that opening the sector to private enterprise is indispensable for meeting this target within the stipulated timeline.
The Prime Minister underlined that the reform will unlock massive opportunities in cutting-edge areas such as small modular reactors, advanced fast reactors, thorium-based systems and next-generation nuclear innovation. By inviting domestic conglomerates and global technology leaders into the ecosystem, India aims to secure uninterrupted clean baseload electricity, drastically reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and cement its position as a frontrunner in tomorrow’s nuclear marketplace.
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The pivotal Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 has been formally scheduled for introduction in the Winter Session of Parliament commencing December 1. The legislation will repeal prohibitive clauses of the 1962 Act and establish a new independent nuclear safety regulator while simultaneously amending civil liability provisions that previously discouraged private investment due to unlimited risk exposure.
Industry captains and energy analysts described the announcement as a game-changer that could attract tens of thousands of crores in fresh capital, generate hundreds of thousands of specialised jobs and position India among a select group of nations that combine governmental oversight with vibrant private participation in atomic energy development.
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