PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DOMESTIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN CRITICAL MEDICAL RADIOISOTOPE SUPPLY
Issued by Department of Atomic Energy
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Department of Atomic Energy on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary This report addresses the status of domestic production and supply of critical medical radioisotopes (Mo-99, I-131, Lu-177) in India as of August 2026. While the Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) fulfills approximately 90% of orders under normal conditions, technical shutdowns and maintenance require periodic imports from international sources. To ensure future self-sufficiency, a new Isotope Production Reactor has been sanctioned for completion by approximately 2035.
Key Points / Main Content
Current Production and Capacity
- Critical Isotopes: Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), Iodine-131 (I-131), and Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) account for nearly 90% of all nuclear medicine applications.
- Production Source: These isotopes are produced at the Dhruva reactor at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
- Output Trends: Lu-177 production increased significantly to 976 Ci in 2025-26, while Mo-99 and I-131 have shown fluctuating production levels over the last five years.
Import Dependencies and Supply Shortfalls
- Import Sources: During reactor maintenance or technical shutdowns, isotopes are imported from Russia, Australia, Egypt, Belgium, South Africa, and Poland.
- Reliability: BRIT successfully supplies approximately 90% of confirmed orders during normal operations.
- Supply Disruptions: Significant shortfalls occurred in 2024-25, specifically for Mo-99 (19 batches) and I-131 (10 batches), due to unforeseen facility shutdowns and a lack of available imported backup supplies.
Future Infrastructure Development
- New Project: BARC has received administrative and financial sanction for the "Engineering and Construction of Isotope Production Reactor" project.
- Capacity Goal: The new reactor is expected to start production around 2035 with a capacity of 0.5 million Curie (MCi).
Impact Analysis
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Impact: Responsible for current domestic production and the development of future infrastructure to eliminate supply gaps. Action Required: Proceed with the engineering and construction of the sanctioned Isotope Production Reactor to meet the 2035 operational deadline.
Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) Impact: Acts as the primary supplier for domestic orders but faces challenges during technical contingencies and import delays. Action Required: Continue managing domestic supply chains and coordinate international procurement during reactor shutdowns to minimize shortfalls.
Nuclear Medicine Centres Impact: Highly dependent on the consistent supply of these isotopes for 90% of their medical applications; they are directly affected by supply cancellations or batch shortfalls. Action Required: Coordinate closely with BRIT for supply schedules and maintain contingency plans for periods of reported domestic supply shortfalls.
Overseas Producers (Russia, Australia, Belgium, etc.) Impact: Serve as essential backup suppliers for the Indian market during maintenance or technical failures at domestic facilities. Action Required: Provide necessary quantities of radioisotopes to fulfill Indian import requirements during specified shutdown periods.