Parliament Question: Nuclear safety and security

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION-10 ANSWERED ON 29/01/2026 NUCLEAR SAFETY AND SECURITY 10. SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA SHRI SHAMBHU SHARAN PATEL SMT REKHA SHARMA Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:- (a) Whether Government has formulated a national action plan for nuclear safety, radiation protection and nuclear security; (b) if so, the institutions responsible for its implementation; (c) how compliance with international safety conventions is monitored across Indian nuclear facilities; and (d) whether periodic safety audits and emergency preparedness exercises are conducted across all operating nuclear reactors? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a), (b) & (c): i) India has a robust system for implementation of Nuclear Safety in Nuclear and radiation Facilities. The responsibility for ensuring the safety of civilian nuclear facilities in India lies solely with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) implements the national plan for nuclear safety, radiation protection, and nuclear security through a comprehensive Integrated Management System (IMS). This system consolidates all regulatory and management processes into a unified framework, ensuring coherence, consistency, and effectiveness in regulatory decision-making. To streamline regulation and promote uniform standards, AERB has developed a comprehensive set of safety codes, guide and standards that all operators are required to follow.Facilities must obtain the necessary licenses from AERB to operate these nuclear installations legally. These licenses are contingent on strict adherence to the prescribed safety standards. AERB inspectors are authorized to conduct regular inspections of licensed facilities to verify compliance. In cases where non-compliance is identified, AERB provides corrective recommendations and technical guidance. In extreme situations of non-compliance, AERB holds the authority to suspend or revoke the operating license. ii) Nuclear security aspects that have a bearing on safety are integrated into AERB’s regulatory regime. Internal arrangements are established to manage the interface between safety and security, ensuring that security measures are designed and implemented without compromising safety objectives, and vice versa. AERB develops nuclear security requirements applicable to facilities and activities and conducts inspections that address both safety and security considerations. Information related to security aspects of nuclear and radiation facilities is shared through formal working arrangements with the Department of Atomic Energy, facilitating coordinated oversight and effective implementation. iii) Compliance with international nuclear and radiological safety conventions across Indian nuclear facilities is systematically monitored and ensured by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) through a well-defined framework that integrates regulatory oversight, international cooperation, and alignment with globally accepted safety standards. This framework reflects India’s commitment to maintaining high levels of nuclear safety, security, and transparency in accordance with its international obligations. (d) i) The infrastructure requirements, for management of nuclear emergency in public domain as specified by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for emergency response functions, are well established and maintained in coordination with Local, State and National Authority. ii) Emergency preparedness and response plans have been formulated as per requirements and guidance given by AERB to protect public in case of emergencies. These plans are tested periodically through exercises as well as revised periodically to be in line with the current requirements and situations. ******