The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) (IAST: Paramāṇu Ūrjā Vibhāga) is a department with headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. DAE was established in 1954 with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first minister and Homi Bhabha as its secretary.
DAE has been engaged in the development of nuclear power technology, applications of radiation technologies in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic research. DAE comprises five research centres, three industrial organisations, five public sector undertakings and three service organisations. It has under its aegis two boards for promoting and funding extramural research in nuclear and allied fields, mathematics and a national institute (deemed university). It also supports eight institutes of international repute engaged in research in basic sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, cancer research and education. It also has in its fold an educational society that provides educational facilities for children of DAE employees.
The important programmes of the DAE are directed towards:
Enhancing the share of nuclear power in the Power Sector by deployment of indigenous and other proven technologies, and to develop fast breeder reactors, as well as thorium-based reactors with associated fuel cycle facilities; Building and operating of research reactors for the production of radioisotopes, building other sources of radiation such as accelerators and lasers, and developing and deploying radiation technology applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry and basic research. Developing advanced technologies such as accelerators, lasers, supercomputers, robotics, areas related to fusion research, strategic materials and instrumentation, and encouraging the transfer of technology to industry. Carrying out and supporting basic research in nuclear energy and related frontier areas of science; interaction with universities and academic institutions; support to research and development projects having a bearing on DAE’s programmes, and international cooperation in related advanced areas of research and contribution to national security.
Apex Board
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Regulatory Board and Organisation
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Mumbai, Maharashtra is given some regulation powers by AEC.
Research & Development Sector
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, following Research institutions affiliated to BARC Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), Bahadurgarh, Haryana
Public Sector
Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL), Hyderabad
Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), Mumbai
Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL), Singhbhum
Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Bharatiya Nabhkiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
Industrial Organisations
Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai
Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad
Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai
Service Organisations
Directorate of Construction, Services and Estate Management (DAE) (DCSEM), Mumbai Directorate of Purchase and Stores (DAE) (DPS), Mumbai General Services Organisation (DAE) (GSO), Kalpakkam
Universities
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad
Aided Sector
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM), New Delhi
Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES), Mumbai
Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai
Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata
Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar
Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Allahabad
Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai
Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar
See also
Atomic Energy Commission of India
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Nuclear power in India
India and weapons of mass destruction
References
Ministry of Science and Technology (India) Nuclear power in India Government agencies for energy (India) Organisations based in Mumbai 1954 establishments in Bombay State Government agencies established in 1954