Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage
Context:
The US President recently signed the National Défense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2026 into law.
The Act specifically advises the US government to work with India to align its domestic nuclear liability rules with international norms.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SANTHI) Bill. 2025 aligns India closer to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and makes it consonant with the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.
It is such an alignment that the NDAA 2026 encourages.
Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage:
The Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (1963) is an international legal framework adopted under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure minimum standards of compensation for victims of nuclear accidents.
The Convention is designed to ensure that all Contracting Parties have laws and regulations in place conforming to the legal regime for civil liability for nuclear damage provided for in the Convention
Core Principles:
Only the nuclear plant operator is liable for nuclear damage.
Liability is absolute and victims need not prove fault or negligence
Liability is channelled only to the operator, not suppliers or designers.
It defined Nuclear Damage as “Loss of life or personal injury or damage to property or Damage arising from radioactive properties of nuclear material”
Convention allows states to cap operator liability
India is not a signatory to the convention.
Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) (1997):
Adopted in 1997, effective 2015 to enhance global nuclear liability.
Establishes additional compensation funds beyond national limits. Strengthens international cooperation and uniform liability rules.
India ratified CSC in 2016, aligning its Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 with global norms.