New Delhi, June 12 (IANS): The Centre has exempted customs duty on specified goods imported for nuclear power generation between April 1, 2019, and January 31, 2026, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance. The retrospective exemption covers imports of non-irradiated fuel elements and cartridges used in nuclear reactors, effectively removing customs duty liability on eligible imports made during the nearly seven-year period. The government stated that non-levy of customs duty on such imports had been a generally followed practice during this period and has now been formally recognised through the latest notification. The move follows an earlier notification issued in October 2025 that allowed duty-free imports of goods used for nuclear power generation on a prospective basis.
With the retrospective exemption now in effect, entities that imported eligible nuclear fuel-related components during the covered period will not be required to pay customs duty on those shipments. The decision is expected to primarily benefit Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), the state-run operator responsible for importing fuel assemblies for the country’s nuclear reactor fleet, while also drawing attention to companies associated with India’s nuclear power ecosystem. The notification comes as India continues to expand its clean energy capacity and strengthen the role of nuclear power in its energy mix. The development follows another recent policy measure in which the government exempted petrol blended with 22 per cent to 30 per cent ethanol from excise duty, as part of its broader efforts to promote cleaner and alternative energy sources.