**Executive Summary**
This report details the safety standards and regulatory framework governing nuclear power plants (NPPs) in India, specifically addressing a Parliament question dated March 19, 2026. It outlines the oversight role of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the public outreach efforts by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and NPCIL. Key provisions include mandatory 10-year safety reviews and technology-neutral compliance standards for all nuclear projects, including those involving NTPC.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Licensing Framework**
* AERB establishes technology-neutral and entity-neutral safety requirements for all NPPs, aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) benchmarks.
* NPPs must undergo satisfactory reviews during siting, construction, and commissioning before receiving an operating license.
* The regulatory framework applies uniformly to all plants, including emerging projects and different operating organizations.
**Safety Monitoring and Inspections**
* Operating NPPs are required to undergo a comprehensive Periodic Safety Review (PSR) typically every ten years to implement necessary safety upgrades.
* The AERB conducts a Regulatory Inspection (RI) programme involving routine, special, and reactive inspections, which may be announced or unannounced.
* Deviations found during inspections are categorized by safety significance: Grey (Low), Orange (Moderate), and Red (High).
* Facilities must implement corrective actions for identified deviations in a time-bound manner to ensure closure.
**Public Outreach and Economic Development**
* The DAE conducts awareness schemes such as the Parmanu Jyoti Programme to increase student interest in science and nuclear technology.
* NPCIL adopts a multi-pronged outreach approach targeting students, teachers, local communities, media, and decision-makers through site visits and exhibitions.
* Nuclear energy projects support the local economy by creating jobs for skilled youth and boosting commercial activities for local industries.
* Skill development training is provided at NPCIL plants under the Trade Apprentice Act, 1961, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**Nuclear Power Plant Operators (including NTPC and NPCIL)**
**Impact**
Operators are subject to stringent, technology-neutral safety protocols and continuous performance monitoring. They are liable for addressing safety deviations categorized by significance levels.
**Action Required**
Must maintain compliance with AERB standards, facilitate regular inspections, and conduct a comprehensive Periodic Safety Review every ten years.
**Educational Institutions and Students**
**Impact**
Students and universities benefit from specific outreach programs, science projects at Environmental Survey Laboratories, and career opportunity presentations.
**Action Required**
Participate in DAE outreach schemes, visit plant sites for awareness, and utilize skill development training provided under the Trade Apprentice Act.
**Local Communities**
**Impact**
Communities surrounding nuclear facilities experience economic strengthening through job creation and increased commercial activity during construction and commissioning.
**Action Required**
Engage with public awareness drives and utilize CSR-led skill development and apprenticeship opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The national regulatory body responsible for establishing nuclear and radiation safety requirements and conducting inspections for all Nuclear Power Plants in India.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The primary department overseeing nuclear energy deployment, public outreach, and educational initiatives like the Parmanu Jyoti Programme.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL): A public sector undertaking under the DAE that operates nuclear power plants and manages public awareness and vocational training initiatives.
Trade Apprentice Act, 1961: The legislation under which NPCIL provides skill development training at its various nuclear power plants and stations.
Parmanu Jyoti Programme: An outreach initiative conducted by the DAE to promote awareness of science and technology among school students.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAFETY STANDARDS
IN NTPC'S NUCLEAR PROJECTS
Posted On: 19 MAR 2026 4:55PM by PIB Delhi
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has established regulatory requirements for nuclear & radiation
safety for all types / designs of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) being established in India. These
requirements are generally technology and entity neutral. The requirements take account of international
benchmarks including the safety standards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). NPPs in India
are sited, designed, constructed, commissioned & operated in conformity with the relevant nuclear safety
requirements including environmental safety. After satisfactory review during siting, construction and
commissioning stages, AERB issues the license for operation to NPP. During the license period, safety
performance of an operating NPP is monitored in compliance with regulatory requirements, through safety
reviews and regulatory inspections. As per the regulatory requirements, operating NPPs are also required
to undergo a comprehensive Periodic Safety Review (PSR), typically every ten years. During the PSR the
safety provisions of the NPP are evaluated in comparison with the current safety standards and necessary
safety upgrades are identified and implemented.
AERB has a comprehensive Regulatory Inspection (RI) programme to ensure that licensed nuclear
facilities operate in compliance with regulatory requirements and meet safety objectives. The programme
defines the minimum frequency, scope and depth of routine inspections for each facility. In addition,
special or reactive inspections are conducted, as necessary, based on events or specific activities. These
inspections may be carried out in either an announced or unannounced manner. The deviations observed
during regulatory inspections are categorized based on their safety significance. Reported deviations are
classified into Grey (Low Safety Significance), Orange (Moderate Safety Significance) and Red (High
Safety Significance) categories. AERB follows up the reported deviations to ensure the implementation of
corrective actions in a time-bound manner, and these deviations are closed after verifying the corrective
measures taken by the nuclear facilities. Further, the regulatory inspection and compliance framework
adopted by AERB is technology-neutral and applies to all Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), including
emerging projects, irrespective of the technology or operating organization. This ensures that all nuclear
power plants / projects adhere to the same stringent safety protocols, periodic inspection mechanisms and
compliance benchmarks prescribed under the national regulatory framework.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) conducts public awareness and outreach programmes for promoting
nuclear energy and runs outreach schemes for educational institutions and universities to increase
awareness and interest of students in the field of science and technology including coverage of schools
under Parmanu Jyoti Programme. Officers from DAE also visit professional colleges and universities to
present career opportunities in the field of nuclear science and technologies.
Public awareness programmes are also conducted periodically around nuclear facilities. Visits to plant
sites are regularly organized for members of the public, including students, to spread awareness about
nuclear energy and eradicate myths. Students from local institutes are encouraged to carry out science
projects at Environmental Survey Laboratories. DAE also conducts regular public awareness programmeson nuclear technology and safety by participating in technology exhibitions, distributing radiation safety
literature and brochures, and organizing awareness drives, journalist meets, stakeholder-focused
exhibitions and academic visits on occasions such as National Science Day and National Technology Day.
Nuclear energy deployment also strengthens the local economy. The establishment of new nuclear plants
benefit local industries, provide job opportunities for skilled local youths during construction and
commissioning stage and increase commercial activities boosting the local economy.
NPCIL, a PSU under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is also carrying out a structured public
awareness programme across the country, to promote awareness about nuclear power in a credible manner.
The focus of the outreach has been on the students & teachers, local community, decision makers &
people’s representatives, press and media and opinion makers apart from the public at large. Presently,
public outreach activities are being taken up adopting a multi-pronged approach on a continuous basis.
These activities include visits to school and colleges, NCC camps, site visits, visits to Science Centers,
exhibitions, lectures/seminars and miscellaneous initiatives. The efforts include creation of appropriate
public awareness materials and their dissemination to all target groups.
In addition, NPCIL provides skill development training as per the Trade Apprentice Act, 1961 at
respective NPCIL Plants/Power Stations and through schemes under its Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR).
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology
and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on
Thursday.
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