India's Atomic Research | General Awareness - Bank Exams PDF Download

Atomic Energy Research in India

India's journey into atomic energy began with the formation of the Atomic Energy Commission on August 10, 1948. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established in 1954 to oversee the implementation of atomic energy programs.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

Founded in 1954 as the Atomic Energy establishment in Trombay, near Mumbai, it was renamed BARC in 1967 in honor of its founder, Dr. Homi Bhabha. BARC is the leading national institution for research and development in nuclear energy and related fields. Currently, BARC operates three research reactors:

• Apsara, a 1 MW swimming pool type reactor.
• Cirus, a 40 MW reactor.
• Dhruva, a 100 MW high-power nuclear research reactor.

Previously, BARC housed two additional reactors:

• Zerlina (a zero-energy, natural uranium reactor).
• Purnima I-D (a reactor using plutonium and uranium-233 as fuel).

The center has also developed two Synchrotron Radiation Sources (SRSs), Indus I and Indus II, and created versatile lasers for various applications.

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)

Established in 1971 in Kalpakkam, Chennai, IGCAR focuses on research and development in fast breeder technology. It designed the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), which uses indigenous mixed fuel with plutonium and natural uranium. Additionally, IGCAR developed India's first neutron reactor, Kamini, a 30 MW reactor utilizing uranium fuel.

Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD)

Based in Hyderabad, AMD conducts surveys, exploration, and evaluation of resources essential for the country's atomic energy programs.

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC)

Founded in 1977 in Kolkata, VECC serves as a national center for advanced work in nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, isotope production for various uses, and studies on radiation damage to reactor materials.

Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT)

Established in 1984 in Indore, CAT coordinates research in high technology areas such as lasers, fusion, and accelerators.

Nuclear Power Stations At a Glance 

Nuclear Power Reactors

India currently operates 22 nuclear power reactors, which include two boiling water reactors and twenty Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). These reactors collectively have an installed capacity of 6780 MW, which accounts for 1.8% of the country's total installed power capacity.

Heavy Water Production

India has several heavy water production plants located across the country:

• Nangal (Punjab) – The first heavy water plant established in India.
• Baroda (Gujarat)
• Talcher (Odisha)
• Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu)
• Thal (Maharashtra)
• Hazira (Gujarat)
• Manuguru (Telangana)
• Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)

India's Nuclear Tests

• On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first underground nuclear test at Pokhran in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, at a depth of 100 meters. The test, known as 'Operation Smiling Buddha,' was communicated to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with the code name 'Buddha is Smiling.'
• On May 11, 1998, India carried out a series of three underground nuclear explosions at the same location, Pokhran, in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. These tests were collectively named 'Operation Shakti.'