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SHANTI Bill 2025

New SHANTI Bill: India’s Necular Policy

The announcement of the New SHANTI Bill has brought renewed focus on India’s nuclear policy, strategic restraint, and global disarmament commitments. For UPSC, PCS, and HPAS aspirants, this topic is highly relevant under GS-II (Governance & International Relations) and GS-III (Internal Security & Strategic Affairs).

In this blog by Civilstap, we explain the New SHANTI Bill, its objectives, significance, challenges, and exam relevance in a clear, exam-oriented format. This content is especially useful for aspirants preparing through UPSC coaching in Chandigarh, IAS coaching in Chandigarh, PCS coaching in Chandigarh, and HPAS coaching in Chandigarh.

What Is the SHANTI Bill?

SHANTI stands for Strategic Harmonisation and Nuclear Transparency Initiative (commonly referred to as the SHANTI Bill).
The Bill reflects India’s continued emphasis on:

  • Responsible nuclear behaviour

  • Credible minimum deterrence

  • No First Use (NFU) doctrine

  • Global peace and strategic stability

The SHANTI Bill aligns with India’s long-standing image as a peace-oriented nuclear power.

Concepts related to nuclear policy and security are well covered in Civilstap Study Material:
https://civilstap.com/study-material/

Key Objectives of the New SHANTI Bill

The Bill aims to institutionalise and reinforce India’s nuclear posture.

ObjectiveExplanation
Strategic RestraintAvoid arms race escalation
TransparencyBuild international confidence
Deterrence StabilityMaintain credible minimum deterrence
Global ResponsibilityStrengthen India’s peace credentials
Policy ClarityCodify nuclear principles

How SHANTI Bill Fits Into India’s Nuclear Doctrine

India’s nuclear policy has always been guided by ethical restraint and strategic stability.

Core Principles Reaffirmed

  • No First Use (NFU)

  • Credible Minimum Deterrence

  • Civilian control over nuclear assets

  • Commitment to global disarmament

Such doctrinal aspects are frequently discussed in Civilstap Current Affairs:
https://civilstap.com/new-current-affairs/

Why the SHANTI Bill Is Important

Strengthens India’s Global Image

The Bill projects India as:

  • A responsible nuclear state

  • A supporter of non-proliferation

  • A promoter of peaceful coexistence

Enhances Strategic Stability in South Asia

In a region marked by:

  • Nuclear-armed neighbours

  • Security dilemmas

  • Geopolitical volatility

The SHANTI Bill reinforces restraint over retaliation.

RegionImpact
South AsiaReduced escalation risks
Indo-PacificStability & confidence
Global stageNorm-based nuclear conduct

Institutionalises Nuclear Governance

Instead of relying only on doctrine statements, the Bill:

  • Brings policy clarity

  • Enhances parliamentary oversight

  • Improves civil-military accountability

Aspirants can revise security-related notes using Free Downloads by Civilstap:
https://civilstap.com/download/

Challenges & Criticisms of the SHANTI Bill

While progressive, the Bill faces certain concerns.

ChallengeConcern
Strategic AmbiguityBalancing secrecy & transparency
Regional ThreatsDeterrence credibility
EnforcementPolicy vs operational reality
Global PoliticsUnequal nuclear order

These points are excellent Mains answer enrichment dimensions.

UPSC & State PCS Exam Relevance

Prelims

  • Nuclear doctrines

  • Policy-based current affairs

  • India’s strategic principles

Mains (GS-II / GS-III)

  • India’s nuclear doctrine

  • Ethics in security policy

  • Arms control & disarmament

Practice similar questions using Civilstap Daily Quiz:
https://civilstap.com/daily-quiz/

How to Write a High-Scoring Mains Answer on SHANTI Bill

Ideal Structure

  1. Brief introduction on India’s nuclear policy

  2. Objectives of SHANTI Bill

  3. Strategic & global significance

  4. Challenges

  5. Way forward

Answer-writing frameworks like this are taught in Civilstap Courses:
https://civilstap.com/courses/

Civilstap’s Exam-Focused Current Affairs Approach

Civilstap ensures:

  • Policy developments linked with syllabus

  • Static + current affairs integration

  • Crisp notes for quick revision

  • MCQs and Mains-oriented insights

This makes Civilstap a preferred platform for aspirants preparing through UPSC coaching in Chandigarh, IAS coaching in Chandigarh, PCS coaching in Chandigarh, and HPAS coaching in Chandigarh.

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