India has released draft SHANTI Rules 2026 for consultation, but no final notification date is confirmed. Read Jitendra Singh’s statement on nuclear rules.
India has not announced a fixed deadline for notifying the final rules under the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, even as the government moves ahead with preparations to expand the country’s nuclear energy sector and enable greater private participation.
Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the government will frame the detailed rules with due diligence, keeping nuclear safety, stakeholder concerns and international best practices in mind. The government has indicated that there will be no rigid timeline for the exercise.
The SHANTI Act received the President’s assent on December 20, 2025. It establishes a new legal framework for India’s nuclear energy programme, including provisions aimed at facilitating broader participation by private-sector entities under regulatory oversight.
Draft SHANTI Rules Released for Public Consultation
The Department of Atomic Energy has published the draft SHANTI Rules and draft SHANTI Regulations, 2026, for public consultation. Stakeholders, industry representatives, institutions, experts and members of the public were invited to submit their feedback by September 4, 2026. The department said the suggestions received would be considered while finalising the rules and regulations.
The release of the draft framework marks an important step towards implementing the legislation. However, the publication of draft rules does not mean that the final rules have been notified.
As of October 12, 2026, the publicly available official information cited here does not establish a confirmed date for notification of the final rules. The government has not provided a specific deadline that would allow private companies to plan their licensing applications around a fixed date.
Private Sector Entry Depends on Final Rules
The SHANTI Act is intended to create a more comprehensive framework for nuclear energy generation, licensing, safety regulation and civil liability. It also seeks to facilitate wider participation by eligible private companies while retaining government oversight of sensitive nuclear activities.
The final rules will be important for determining how the legislation is implemented in practice, including the procedures and requirements applicable to private operators seeking licences.
In a written parliamentary reply in July 2026, Dr Jitendra Singh said the rules were at the drafting stage and would be notified in accordance with due legislative processes. He also stated that applications for licences from private parties would be considered after the rules were notified.
Nuclear Safety Remains a Priority
The government has stressed that expanding nuclear power capacity must go hand in hand with strong safety safeguards and an effective regulatory framework. The detailed rules and regulations are expected to provide greater clarity on the operational and financial responsibilities of nuclear operators.
India has set a long-term target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Greater private-sector participation is expected to be an important element of the country’s nuclear expansion strategy.
For now, the key milestone is the finalisation and formal notification of the SHANTI Rules and Regulations. Until the government announces a confirmed date, the exact timeline for their implementation remains uncertain.
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