Atomic Energy Bill: Govt Firmly Controls Uranium, Thorium; Private Role Limited

• The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill) aims to increase private participation in India's nuclear power sector.
• Government maintains strict control over exploration, mining, and ownership of strategic atomic minerals like uranium and thorium.
• Private sector involvement is primarily in construction, operation, and manufacturing of components for nuclear power plants.
• Mining of atomic minerals is reserved exclusively for government entities; any discovery must be reported to the Centre.
• Private nuclear plants will operate under a "custodial fuel model," with the government retaining ownership and control of nuclear fuel.

Why It Matters: New Atomic Energy Bill allows private nuclear plant operation but keeps strategic atomic minerals under strict government control.