SHANTI Act 2025 Repeals 1962 & 2010 Laws, Targets 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047 with Private Investment

DAE Proposes Reducing Land Need for 220 MWe Nuclear Reactors to 90 Hectares

The Department of Atomic Energy informed Parliament that land requirement for 220 MWe small nuclear reactors could be reduced from 330 hectares to about 90 hectares, subject to radiological impact assessment. This is part of India's push for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and opening the nuclear sector to private participation, with exclusion zones also proposed to be relaxed. The move is critical for energy security and decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries.

GOBARdhan Scheme Approved with ₹23,731 Cr Outlay to Boost CBG Production Tenfold

Union Cabinet approves GOBARdhan, a National Circular Bioenergy Scheme with ₹23,731 crore outlay for 10 years to increase domestic compressed biogas (CBG) production by nearly 10-fold. The scheme aims to reduce natural gas imports, strengthen energy security, and create a commercially viable waste-to-energy ecosystem through assured offtake, administered pricing, capital subsidies, and pipeline infrastructure.

Ministry of Mines Notifies 2 Offshore Mineral Blocks Near Great Nicobar for Polymetallic Nodules

India has notified two offshore mineral blocks near Great Nicobar Island for polymetallic nodule and crust exploration, strengthening its critical minerals push under the blue economy framework. This connects directly to the Deep Ocean Mission, Samudra Manthan scheme, UNCLOS, and India's strategic need for deep-sea mineral security. For exams, remember the Act, the minerals, the contracts, and the institutional framework.

UPSC Key: 14 Internal EC Dissents, Tarang Shakti-26 Multinational Exercise, and AI-Driven Semiconductor Supercycle

This Indian Express 'UPSC Key' compilation covers six critical topics: unprecedented internal dissent within the Election Commission (14 objections in 10 months), the second edition of India's largest multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, the Supreme Court's reaffirmation of the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent on Vande Mataram, a new Centre scheme for lithium and nickel processing, the evolution of Yemen's Houthis from a local revivalist movement to a Red Sea power, and the global semiconductor 'supercycle' driven by AI demand. Each story is mapped to UPSC syllabus with previous year questions.

SHANTI Act Draft Rules Released: DAE Meets EDF for EPR Reactors, Targets 100 GWe Nuclear Capacity by 2047

India is opening its civil nuclear sector to private players under the SHANTI Act. DAE recently released draft rules for private participation and foreign reactor tech. A key meeting with French state-owned EDF discussed deploying EPR reactors and localising supply chains to meet the ambitious 100 GWe nuclear capacity target by 2047.

SC Applies Section 498A to Live-in Relationships; NOTTO Launches Real-Time Organ Transplant Portal with Aadhaar Pledges

The Indian Express UPSC Key for August 4, 2026, covers multiple crucial topics: the Supreme Court's ruling extending Section 498A cruelty protection to live-in relationships, the launch of a real-time organ transplant portal by NOTTO, the Vikram Sarabhai Medal awarded to Annapurni Subramaniam, India's resilient fertiliser supply amid the Iran war, the science behind Europe's wildfires, and the Ceuta migrant crisis. These topics span Polity, Health, Science, Environment, and International Relations, offering direct material for UPSC Prelims and Mains.

India's E20 Fuel Mandate: 240 Million Legacy Vehicles Face Mileage Loss, Contamination Risks

India's nationwide E20 fuel mandate (20% ethanol blending) effective April 1, 2026, aims to reduce crude oil imports but raises serious concerns for 240 million legacy vehicles (pre-2023). Real-world mileage drops of over 10%, fuel system corrosion, phase separation, and contamination risks (chlorides up to 570 ppm, water up to 13,000 ppm) have sparked legal challenges and demands for consumer protection. This is a high-impact issue linking energy policy, automotive engineering, and consumer rights – a must-know for GS3 and GS2.

SHANTI Act Draft Rules Released: India Opens Nuclear Sector to Private Firms, Targets 100 GW by 2047

India has released draft rules for the SHANTI Act, opening the civil nuclear sector to private companies for the first time. The U.S. nuclear industry is preparing submissions by September 4. This is a major step towards India's target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 and development of indigenous Small Modular Reactors.