**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 2015, regarding nuclear power plants in Bihar, posed to the Prime Minister and answered on 11/02/2026 by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister's Office. The response clarifies the status of nuclear projects in Bihar, radiation safety compliance, and public awareness initiatives. No specific action items or deadlines are identified.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nuclear Power Plants and Research Projects:**
* No nuclear power plants or research projects are currently operational in Bihar under the Department of Atomic Energy.
* A proposal for such projects is not under immediate consideration.
* **Radiation Safety and Radiological Emergency Management:**
* The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) reviews radiation safety and radiological emergency preparedness at nuclear medicine centers as part of the licensing process.
* Periodic verification of safety status and regulatory inspections are conducted according to Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 and AERB Safety Code.
* Nine nuclear medicine centers in Bihar, including the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, hold valid operating licenses from AERB.
* **Public Awareness Initiatives:**
* The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) participates in scientific programs to increase awareness and dispel misconceptions about nuclear energy.
* Officers are sent to colleges, universities, and institutes annually to attract engineers and postgraduate students and interact with students to increase awareness.
* Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) conducts awareness sessions during National Cadet Corps (NCC) camps in the state.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)**
* **Impact:** The DAE must continue to address public misconceptions and promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through awareness programs.
* **Action Required:** Continue to deploy officers to educational institutions and support NPCIL's awareness sessions.
**Stakeholder: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)**
* **Impact:** AERB needs to ensure continuous compliance with radiation safety and emergency preparedness at all nuclear medicine centers.
* **Action Required:** Perform periodic safety inspections and regulatory compliance checks.
**Stakeholder: Nuclear Medicine Centers in Bihar**
* **Impact:** The centers are subject to regulatory oversight and periodic inspections to maintain operational safety.
* **Action Required:** The centers must maintain compliance with AERB safety standards and regulations to ensure continued operation.
**Stakeholder: Public in Bihar**
* **Impact:** Aims to promote public understanding of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and address related misconceptions.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Atomic Energy: The primary department under which the discussed nuclear power plant proposals and safety regulations fall.
Bihar: The state where the potential nuclear power plants and related safety reviews are focused.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The regulatory body responsible for reviewing radiation safety and radiological emergency preparedness of radiation facilities.
Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004: Rules governing radiation protection.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2015
ANSWERED ON 11/02/2026
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN BIHAR
2015. SHRI TARIQ ANWAR
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that any nuclear power plants or research projects are operational
or proposed in the State of Bihar under the Department of Atomic Energy and if so,
the details thereof and current status of their progress;
(b) whether the Government has recently reviewed compliance with radiation safety and
Radiological Emergency Management (RADHA) protocols at nuclear medicine
centres located in Bihar (such as the cyclotron facility at Indira Gandhi Institute of
Medical Sciences in Patna or other radioisotope user units and if so, the details
thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has any specific plan or initiative to increase public
awareness in Bihar and dispel misconceptions regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Under the Department of Atomic Energy, no such nuclear power plants or research
projects are operational in the State of Bihar and as of now, a proposal like this, is not
under immediate consideration.
(b) Radiation safety and radiological emergency preparedness of radiation facilities
including nuclear medicine centres are reviewed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB) as a part of the licensing processes. Subsequently, periodic verification of
safety status and periodic regulatory inspections in accordance with the AtomicEnergy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 and AERB Safety Code for Radiation
Sources, Equipment and Installations (Code No.AERB/RF/SC) are also carried out.
As per data available with AERB, presently nine nuclear medicine centres, including
the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna are having valid
operating licence from AERB.
(c) DAE participates in scientific programmes across the country to spread awareness and
dispel misconceptions about nuclear energy. Every year, officers from the department
are deputed to various colleges, universities, and institutes to attract engineers and
postgraduate students and also interact with students to increase their awareness
regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) a Public Sector Undertaking
under the DAE, has engaged with youth through awareness sessions conducted during
National Cadet Corps (NCC) camps held in the state.
*****