Parliament Question: Homi Sethna Chair scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO – 1444 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 HOMI SETHNA CHAIR SCHEME 1444. SMT MAMATA MOHANTA Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:- (a) the institution and domain -wise details of number of positions sanctioned, filled and currently operational under the Homi Sethna Chair (HSC) scheme; (b) the major research and technological outcomes achieved under the scheme in the areas of nuclear power, non-power applications and strategic research and development; (c) whether any mid-term or final evaluation of outputs, deliverables and programmatic/societal impact has been conducted under the Scheme; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) & (b) The number of sanctioned positions of Homi Sethna Chair (HSC) positions currently filled and currently operational are 150, 33 and 23 respectively. Institution wise distribution is BARC-27, IGCAR-4, AERB-1 and AMD-1. Major research outcomes from the occupied positions include Research and Development in a wide variety of domains such as Nuclear fuel technology, Research Engineering, Health Physics and Safety, Plasma Research, Critical Mineral Mapping & extraction, Knowledge Management, Electronics & Instrumentation, Fuel Reprocessing & waste management, R&D on Reactor programmes, Research and development in Chemistry, Hydrogen generation, Fuel management and utilisation, R&D on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Project Management, Nuclear Policy Framing, Reactor and Proton Accelerator utilisation, Fast Breeder Reactor Technology, Research and Policy for Nuclear Batteries etc., (c)&(d) Yes, the HSC scheme has been extremely effective towards deploying expertise in the niche areas of Nuclear Science and Technology by field experts post their superannuation, towards furtherance of departmental programs. ****