PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NATIONAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE EXPANSION PROGRAMME - 29th July 2026 - Department of Atomic Energy - Gazette Notification PDF
Issued by Department of Atomic Energy
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Department of Atomic Energy on 29th July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary This report details the Department of Atomic Energy’s (DAE) initiatives under the National Nuclear Medicine Expansion Programme as of July 29, 2026. It highlights the role of various DAE units in providing cancer diagnostic and therapeutic services, the commercial production of radioisotopes, and the construction of a new Isotope Production Reactor in Visakhapatnam to achieve self-reliance. Key action items include ongoing specialized training programs to build a skilled workforce for nuclear medicine centers across India.
Key Points / Main Content
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Infrastructure
- Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) Services: Utilizes Gamma Cameras for functional imaging (e.g., 99mTc PSMA for prostate cancer) and PETCT for cancer staging using pharmaceuticals like 18F FDG and Ga68 DOTANOC.
- Radionuclide Therapy: A six-bedded high-dose ward at TMC, designed per AERB guidelines, provides treatments using Iodine-131 for thyroid cancer and Lutetium-177 for prostate and neuroendocrine cancers.
- Clinical Patient Services: Provided by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) through its Radiation Medicine Centre (Mumbai) and Radiation Medicine Research Centre (Kolkata).
Radioisotope Production and Self-Reliance
- Medical Cyclotron Facility: The Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) operates a 30 MeV cyclotron for the commercial production of radioisotopes delivered to various hospitals.
- Isotope Production Reactor (IPR): A dedicated reactor is being constructed at BARC, Visakhapatnam, to enhance domestic production and achieve national self-reliance in medical isotopes.
- Waste Reprocessing: Isotopes such as Ruthenium-106, Caesium-137, and Strontium-90 are recovered through the reprocessing of High-Level Liquid Waste (HLLW).
Research, Development, and Medical Devices
- Device Innovation: Collaborative development between BARC, BRIT, and TMC has produced medical devices like 90Y Bhabhspheres for radio-embolization, Blood Irradiators, and the Bhabhatron.
- Pharmaceutical Approvals: Development of radio-protectors by BARC, with testing and DCGI approval facilitated by TMC.
Capacity Building and Training
- Specialized Education: BARC and TMC conduct various courses including MD in Nuclear Medicine, M.Sc. in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology, and Diplomas in Radiological Physics.
- Workforce Deployment: Graduates from these programs are employed in nuclear medicine centers nationwide to support the growing demand for cancer care.
Impact Analysis
Stakeholder: Healthcare Facilities and Nuclear Medicine Centres Impact These centers receive a regular supply of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals through BRIT, ensuring the timely availability of diagnostic and therapeutic applications for patients. Action Required Centres must continue to employ doctors and technologists trained through DAE’s specialized programs to manage the increasing use of radioisotopes.
Stakeholder: Cancer Patients Impact Patients gain access to advanced staging, functional imaging, and high-dose radionuclide therapies for various malignancies, including thyroid, prostate, and gastrointestinal cancers. Action Required Patients can utilize the diagnostic and therapeutic services provided at RMC Mumbai, RMRC Kolkata, and TMC.
Stakeholder: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Impact BARC is positioned as the primary driver for domestic self-reliance through the construction of the new Isotope Production Reactor. Action Required Proceed with the operationalization of the IPR at Visakhapatnam and maintain the regular supply of radioisotopes via BRIT.
Key Entities Referenced
National Nuclear Medicine Expansion Programme: The central initiative focused on expanding nuclear medicine services, radioisotope production, and specialized training for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The primary administrative department overseeing the development, production, and clinical application of nuclear techniques and radiopharmaceuticals in India.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): A key R&D unit of DAE that produces medical radioisotopes, develops oncology-related medical devices, and conducts specialized academic programs in nuclear medicine.
Tata Memorial Centre (TMC): An aided institute under DAE that provides advanced nuclear-based diagnostic and therapeutic services for cancer and conducts capacity-building training programs.
Isotope Production Reactor (IPR): A dedicated facility being established at BARC Visakhapatnam to enhance domestic production and achieve self-reliance in medical isotopes.
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Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NATIONAL NUCLEAR
MEDICINE EXPANSION PROGRAMME
प्रव तथ: 29 JUL 2026 4:06PM by PIB Delhi
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a Research & Development (R&D) unit of Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE) is contributing in the field of nuclear medicine through its clinical patient services
units at Radiation Medicine Centre (RMC), Mumbai and Radiation Medicine Research Centre (RMRC),
Kolkata for diagnostic and therapeutic services for cancer treatment.
At Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), a R&D Unit of DAE, the 30 MeV medical cyclotron is
operated for commercial production of radioisotopes/ radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnostics. The
radioisotopes / radiopharmaceuticals, produced at the Medical Cyclotron Facility of VECC, are being
delivered on regular basis to various hospitals/ Nuclear Medicine Centres.
Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), an Aided Institute under the administrative control of the DAE has
established following diagnostic and therapeutic services by utilizing nuclear techniques in the fight
against cancer:
1. Gamma Camera and its associated radiopharmacy lab:
This Unit is equipped to perform multiple types of functional imaging helping with cancer
staging with scans such as 99mTc PSMA (Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen) etc. other
imaging services help with assessing the function such as Multigated Acquisition (MUGA)
imaging to assess cardiac function etc.
2. Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PETCT) and its radiopharmacy lab:
This Unit primarily works for cancer staging, most commonly used radioactive
pharmaceutical is 18F FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose) which is used in majority of cancers for
staging such as for evaluation of carcinoma lung, carcinoma oesophagus, breast cancer,
lymphoma, etc.
Radioactive Pharmaceuticals such as Ga68 DOTANOC, Ga68 FAPI - Fibroblast Activation
Protein Inhibitor (all prepared and quality checked in house) are utilized for evaluation of
various cancers [such as prostate cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Mucinous and Signet
Gastro intestinal (GI) cancers etc.]
3. High dose Radionuclide therapy ward and its radiopharmacy lab:
6 bedded high dose therapy ward has been designed as per Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB) guidelines with appropriate layout and provision of a delay tank to contain
radioactive sewage for proper disposal of contaminated patient sewage.Iodine-131 (I-131) is utilized for treatment of thyroid cancer, Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) PSMA
and Lu-177 DOTANOC for management of prostate cancer, neuroendocrine cancer and other
Somatostatin Receptor (SSTR) expressing malignancies.
TMC also works on project conception, development of product for known medical and healthcare uses.
After development by the laboratory, testing and solutions for errors and noncompliance are addressed till
the first version is built. It is put to field use and tested and subsequent versions are developed.
Example:
Development of medical devices like 90Y Bhabhspheres for Trans arterial radio embolization: conceived,
developed and tested and upgraded by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre/Board of Radiation & Isotope
Technology (BARC/BRIT) & TMC.
Development of Blood Irradiator.
Development of Bhabhatron.
Development of Radio protectors by BARC, and testing and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)
approval done by TMC.
Currently radioisotopes are produced through research reactors and cyclotrons. Radioisotopes like
Ruthenium-106, Caesium-137, and Strontium-90 milked into Yttrium-90 are recovered through
reprocessing of High-Level Liquid Waste (HLLW). A dedicated Isotope Production Reactor (IPR) is being
constructed for enhancing domestic production of medical isotopes. The reactor is proposed to be
established at BARC, Visakhapatnam. Operationalisation of IPR can make India self-reliant in the field of
radioisotopes. BARC also regularly produces radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals and supplies them
through BRIT to nuclear medicine centres across India, thereby supporting timely availability for
diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
DAE is strengthening capacity-building in nuclear medicine through specialised training programmes.
BARC conducts programmes such as Doctor of Medicine in Nuclear Medicine, Master of Science in
Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology (NM&MIT), Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine
Technology & Hospital Radio-Pharmacy (NMT&HRP), and Diploma in Radiological Physics (DipRP).
Doctors and technologists trained through these courses are employed in nuclear medicine centres in
India. These initiatives support the availability of trained manpower for the growing use of radioisotopes
and radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine and cancer care.
TMC has been conducting the following courses to strengthen training and capacity building in the field
of Nuclear Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Nuclear Medicine – 3 year course Nuclear Theranotics – 2
years fellowship
Masters in Science (M.Sc) – Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology (NMMIT) – 2 years
At present no such proposal is received in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Prime Minister’s office and Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok
Sabha today.
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