Applications of Nuclear Power | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Use of Nuclear Energy

Electricity Generation:

• The total electricity generation from Nuclear Power Plants during the past three years was 115,292 Million Units.

Agriculture:
Using radiation-induced mutagenesis technology, the DAE has developed 42 varieties of crops, including oilseeds (groundnut, mustard, soybean, and sunflower), pulses (urdbean, mungbean, pigeonpea, cowpea), rice, and jute. These varieties have been released and notified for commercial cultivation across India.

The Government of India, through DAE, has set up two radiation technology demonstration units:

• One at Vashi, Navi Mumbai commissioned in 2000 for high-dose irradiation.
• Another in Lasalgaon near Nashik for low-dose irradiation, known as Krushi Utpadan Sanrakshan Kendra (KRUSHAK), commissioned in 2002.

These facilities, operated by the Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), aim to improve agricultural output and food safety. Additionally, two plants were established by the Maharashtra and Gujarat state governments. Currently, there are 15 irradiation plants across the country, including those in the private sector, conducting radiation processing of agricultural and food products. The irradiation process is primarily used to extend the shelf life of fruits such as mangoes and pomegranates, and vegetables like onions and garlic.

Medicine and Health:
The Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) under DAE is responsible for the production and supply of medical products essential for human health. The radioisotopes produced in nuclear reactors or cyclotrons are employed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The nature of radiation emitted from these radioisotopes determines their application in medical diagnostics or treatment.

Some of the key radiopharmaceuticals manufactured and supplied include:

• 99mTc-Technetium based radiopharmaceuticals: Used for diagnosing diseases related to vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, and for cancer detection.
• 18F-Fluorine based diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals: PET-based products for diagnosing cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders.
• 131I-Iodine based products: Used for diagnosing and treating thyroid and related cancers.
• 32P-Phosphorus, 153Sm-Samarium, and 177Lu-Lutetium based Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals: Used for relieving cancer pain and treating cancer.

In addition to these, BRIT also supplies:

• 60Co (Cobalt) sources for Bhabhatron Teletherapy units, used for radiation-based cancer treatment.
• 125I based in vitro Radioimmunoassay kits, employed for diagnosing low hormone concentrations and proteins in blood.

As of 2016, the nuclear share of electricity generation in India was around 3.4%, comparable to China (3.6%) and Japan (2.2%).

In the field of medicine and health, India has over 220 nuclear medicine centres currently operational, utilizing radioactive products for various medical applications. However, there is no readily available data from countries like China and Japan for direct comparison.

Government Initiatives and Policy Measures

Electricity Generation through Nuclear Technology
The Government of India has implemented several measures to boost the nuclear power capacity and ensure an adequate fuel supply. These include:

• Resolution of issues related to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act and the creation of the Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP).
• Approval of ten (10) 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode, and two (2) units of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) in cooperation with the Russian Federation.
• Amendment of the Atomic Energy Act to enable Joint Ventures of public sector companies to set up nuclear power projects.
• Enabling agreements with foreign countries for nuclear power cooperation, including the supply of nuclear fuel.

Agriculture Sector

In the agriculture sector, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) provides subsidies for gamma radiation processing plants under the SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) scheme. These plants are set up for the gamma radiation processing of food products.

Health and Medicine Sectors

The Government of India actively promotes the use of nuclear energy in the health care sector by supporting nuclear medicine practices in the country. This includes the indigenous development of medical products to substitute imports and providing cost-effective treatments. For instance, the medical cyclotron at the Radiation Medicine Centre offers PET imaging facilities to patients at no cost. Additionally, the use of Lutetium-177-labeled products for treating neuroendocrine cancer patients is significantly cheaper compared to imported radiopharmaceuticals (₹10,000 vs. ₹1,50,000).

Conclusion

Nuclear energy and its applications, particularly in electricity generation, agriculture, and medicine, have played a pivotal role in India's development. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for citizens by contributing to more efficient agriculture practices, improved medical treatments, and sustainable energy solutions.

This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.