Summary: Nuclear Space Research Centres In India

List of Nuclear Research Centres in India

The national nuclear research system is overseen by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which promotes peaceful uses of nuclear energy and supervises several research centres.

Top centres and key facts

• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) - Located in Trombay, Mumbai; India's premier nuclear research facility. Works in engineering, nuclear science and technology; designs and constructs reactors; leads research in nuclear fuel, materials science and radiation protection. Renamed in 1967 after Dr. Bhabha. Director: Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty (appointed 2019). Maintains research reactors Apsara, Cirus, Dhruva, Zerlina, Purnima I, Purnima II and Purnima III.
• Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) - Established August 1948; headquartered in Mumbai and operating under the DAE. Plans, executes and controls India's nuclear power programmes and promotes nuclear applications in agriculture, medicine, industry and research. First chairman: Homi J. Bhabha. Chairman (2019): K.N. Vyas.
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) - Established April 1967; headquartered in Hyderabad; under the DAE. Designs, develops and manufactures electronics for nuclear, space, defence, security and government sectors. Chairman & MD (2018): Retired Admiral Sanjay Chaubey. Promotes peaceful use of atomic energy.
• Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) - PSU under the DAE, established October 4, 1967; headquartered in Singhbhum. Mines and processes uranium ore to produce nuclear fuel; explores and develops uranium deposits. MD & Chairman (March 2020): C.K. Asnani.
• India Rare Earths Limited (IREL) - Established August 18, 1950; first branch at Aluva, Kochi; became a full Government of India organisation in 1963 and operates under the DAE. Mines and processes rare earth minerals (e.g., monazite rich in thorium) and produces rare earth compounds, alloys and metals used in electronics, defence, aerospace and renewable energy.
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) - National research institute under the Government of India and the DAE, established in 1945 with support from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust under the guidance of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha. Conducts research in mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology and interdisciplinary areas; offers master's and doctoral programmes and science education initiatives.
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) - Located in Bidhannagar, Kolkata; founded by Professor Meghnad Saha and renamed SINP in 1956. Focuses on fundamental research in nuclear physics, astrophysics, high-energy particle physics and condensed matter physics; runs experimental and theoretical programmes and offers courses and degrees.
• Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) - Located in Hyderabad; government-owned industrial division of the DAE responsible for producing nuclear fuel for India's reactors. Manufactures enriched uranium fuel, zirconium alloy fuel tubes, mixed oxide (MOX) fuel and produces heavy water. Aims for self-reliance in nuclear fuel fabrication. Chairman cum CEO (March 2020): Dr. Dinesh Srivastava.