According to *Asia Business Review*, India has opened its nuclear energy sector to private investment, aiming to end decades of state monopoly through legislative reforms and mobilize approximately $210 billion to increase nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047. This shift stems from the Sustainable Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy Transition Act of India (SHANTI Act), passed in December 2025, which abolishes the state monopoly established by the 1962 Atomic Energy Act. The legislation also allows Indian private companies to build, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power plants, while permitting foreign entities to participate through joint ventures with Indian companies. India currently has nearly 9 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity and needs to add 90 gigawatts over the next 22 years to achieve the government's 2047 target, meaning the deployment pace needs to be about ten times faster than historical levels. Under the new framework, private companies can participate in most parts of the nuclear value chain, including power generation, engineering design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, and structured financing. The government will retain control over strategic activities such as uranium and thorium mining, heavy water production, spent fuel reprocessing, and radioactive waste management.
Business consultancy YCP states that legal reform alone cannot guarantee investment, as challenges remain regarding electricity pricing mechanisms, financing arrangements, supply chain preparedness, regulatory details, insurance arrangements, and public acceptance. While the SHANTI Act has opened the door to private participation in India's nuclear energy sector by removing legal barriers, the complete business support system required for success is not yet in place.
