India's science and technology landscape has seen a flurry of activity over the past 24-48 hours, marked by legislative reforms, global recognition in emerging technologies, and critical environmental observations.
SHANTI Bill to Revolutionize Nuclear Energy Sector
In a landmark move, the "Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025" was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, December 15, 2025. This pivotal legislation aims to open India's highly restricted nuclear power sector to private participation, both Indian and foreign. The SHANTI Bill seeks to replace the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, signaling a strategic shift towards boosting clean energy production and achieving the government's target of scaling up nuclear power to 100 GW by 2047. Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the Bill, which also outlines a pragmatic civil liability regime for nuclear damage, moving away from the contentious supplier liability clause that previously deterred international companies.
India Emerges as a Global Leader in Machine Learning Research
A new report, the ML Global Impact Report 2025 by Marktechpost, highlights India's significant rise as a global leader in machine learning (ML)–enabled scientific research. India now ranks as the third-largest contributor worldwide to ML-supported scientific output, trailing only China and the United States. This growth is attributed to an expanding network of universities, medical institutions, national laboratories, and deep-tech startups that are applying ML across critical fields such as medical imaging, climate science, agriculture, and materials science. The report underscores India's focus on practical, scalable, and socially relevant ML research, aligned with national priorities in health, agriculture, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Furthermore, India ranks third in Stanford University's 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence Vibrancy tool.
Changing Patterns of Stubble Burning in Northern India
NASA scientists have reported a notable shift in the daily timing of seasonal crop fires in northern India, which could complicate air quality monitoring efforts. Satellite observations and recent studies indicate that peak fire activity, which was around 1:30 p.m. in 2020, has shifted to approximately 5:00 p.m. in 2024. This phenomenon was also confirmed by researchers from the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, & Technology in December 2025. While stubble burning remains a significant factor in air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the precise contribution relative to other sources like vehicles and industry is still a subject of scientific debate.
Advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Mobility
India continues to embrace Artificial Intelligence with several new initiatives. Microsoft has launched "MahaCrimeOS AI," an AI- and Azure-powered platform designed to accelerate cybercrime investigations in Maharashtra. The Union Government is also expanding the use of AI in India's courts through pilot projects aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency. In terms of sustainable mobility, India has launched a pilot project to test Toyota's Mirai Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) under real-world conditions. Additionally, a national workshop was organized by SRMIST and BAJA SAEINDIA on hydrogen-based mobility solutions, training students on alternative fuel systems and integrated vehicle design for future competitions. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also highlighted a 46% rise in solar power over the last 11 years, showcasing India's commitment to renewable energy.