NEW DELHI, Dec 28: Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has described the SHANTI Bill as one of the most far-reaching science reforms undertaken by the Modi Government, stating that it will be remembered as a historic milestone in India’s reform journey.
In a media interaction here, the Minister said that while policy reforms in India have traditionally focused on welfare schemes, governance and political restructuring, the long-term socio-economic character of the nation will increasingly be defined by reforms in science and technology. He observed that the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, often referred to as Modi 3.0, is marked by bold and structural reforms with a sharp emphasis on innovation, research and entrepreneurship.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the SHANTI Bill represents a decisive departure from past approaches by placing science-led reform at the centre of national transformation. He noted that despite science being a key driver of growth, industry and global competitiveness, India had historically not framed scientific advancement within the reform narrative.
Calling the Bill a defining moment, the Minister said the SHANTI Bill marks a historic reform in India’s nuclear sector by unlocking its full potential for peaceful, clean and sustainable energy generation, while maintaining uncompromising standards of safety, sovereignty and public interest. He underlined that such a reform had remained unthinkable for more than six decades and was made possible only by the political will and vision of Prime Minister Modi to dismantle legacy taboos and align India’s nuclear policies with global best practices.
Reiterating India’s long-standing commitment to peaceful nuclear applications, Dr Singh recalled that from the era of Dr Homi Bhabha, India’s nuclear programme was envisioned as a tool for national development, healthcare advancement and energy security. He said the SHANTI Bill strengthens this foundational philosophy by enabling expansion in civilian domains such as clean power generation, medical applications and advanced scientific research, while firmly ruling out any deviation from peaceful intent.
Highlighting the demands of the emerging artificial intelligence, quantum computing and data-driven economy, the Minister said nuclear energy is indispensable for providing reliable, round-the-clock power. Unlike intermittent renewable sources, nuclear energy offers the stability required to sustain advanced digital infrastructure, industrial growth and strategic technologies, especially as India transitions away from fossil fuels and coal.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that India’s nuclear power capacity has nearly doubled from around 4.4 gigawatts in 2014 to about 8.7 gigawatts today. He said the government has laid out a clear roadmap to scale this capacity substantially, with a long-term target of achieving around 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047. This, he said, would enable nuclear energy to meet nearly 10 percent of India’s electricity needs while supporting the country’s Net Zero commitments.
The Minister drew attention to the expanding role of nuclear science in healthcare, particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment through nuclear medicine and isotopes. He noted that nuclear technology is increasingly contributing to life-saving medical interventions, reinforcing the idea that atomic science today is a force for human welfare and societal well-being.
Looking ahead, Dr Singh said India is also moving towards the adoption of Small Modular Reactors, which are well suited for urban clusters, industrial corridors and emerging economic zones. These reactors, he said, will further strengthen energy security while ensuring environmental responsibility and flexibility in deployment.
The Minister noted that the SHANTI Bill has received widespread acceptance across the scientific community, industry, startups and the broader innovation ecosystem, reflecting a growing national consensus on the need to modernise India’s nuclear framework. He said the Bill exemplifies the reform-first approach of Modi 3.0, where science-led policy decisions are shaping India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.