QUICK REVISION: Art 4, Institutional structure for Nuclear Energy:
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION:
- Governing body of the department of Atomic energy
- It is directly under the charge of the Prime Minister
- Set up on 10Aug, 1948
- Function:
- Organise research in atomic science
- To train atomic scientist in the country
- To promote nuclear research in commission’s own laboratory
- To undertake prospecting of atomic Minerals in India
- Five centres:
- Bhabha Atomic research centre, MUMBAI
- Indira Gandhi centre for atomic research, Kalpakkam
- Raja Rammana Centre for advance technology, Indore
- Variable energy cyclotron centre, Kolkata
- Atomic minerals directorate for exploration and research, Hyderabad
ATOMIC ENERGY BOARD:
- to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions envisaged under atomic energy act, 1963
- It works in accordance to Atomic energy act, 1963 and envt. Protection act, 1986
- Board shall be responsible to the Atomic energy commission
- Function:
- Develop safety guidelines, codes, policies in both radiation and industrial safety areas.
- Develop Series of procedure in commissioning and decommissioning of Plants
- Final design analysis prepared by the project plant
- To ensure international standards in safety
NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED
- It is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the department of Atomic energy.
- It is responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of thermal nuclear plants
- It was create in 1987 under the companies act, 1956.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay: Trombay near Mumbai. A series of ‘research’ reactors and critical facilities was built here.Reprocessing of used fuel was first undertaken at Trombay in 1964.BARC is also responsible for the transition to thorium-based systems. BARC is responsible for India’s uranium enrichment projects, the pilot Rare Materials Plant (RMP) at Ratnahalli near Mysore
- Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR): IGCAR at Kalpakkam was set up in 1971. Two civil research reactors here are preparing for stage two of the thorium cycle. BHAVINI is located here and draws upon the centre’s expertise and that of NPCIL in establishing the fast reactor program, including the Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility.
- The Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT): Multi-purpose research reactor (MPRR) for radioisotope production, testing nuclear fuel and reactor materials, and basic research.
- Atomic Minerals Directorate: The DAE’s Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is focused on mineral exploration for uranium and thorium. It was set up in 1949, and is based in Hyderabad, with over 2700 staff.
- Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre: Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre is a premier R & D unit of the Department of Atomic Energy. This Centre is dedicated to carry out frontier research and development in the fields of Accelerator Science & Technology, Nuclear Science (Theoretical and Experimental), Material Science, Computer Science & Technology and in other relevant areas.
- Global Centre for Nuclear Energy PARTNERSHIP: It will be the DAE’s sixth R&D facility. It is being built near Bahadurgarh in Haryana state and designed to strengthen India’s collaboration internationally. It will house five schools to conduct research into advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety, as well as applications for radioisotopes and radiation technologies. Russia is to help set up four of the GCNEP schools.
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), established in the year 1971 is a major industrial unit of Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. The complex is responsible for the supply of nuclear fuel bundles and reactor core components for all the nuclear power reactors operating in India. It is a unique facility where natural and enriched uranium fuel, zirconium Alloy cladding and reactor core components are manufactured under one roof starting from the raw materials.
The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) controls India’s nuclear arsenal. It consists of two components – The Executive Council and the Political Council. The NCA’s Executive Council, chaired by the National Security Adviser, gives inputs to the Political Council, which authorizes a nuclear attack if needed.
The Political Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and advised by the Executive Council. This mechanism is meant to ensure that the nuclear weapons are under civilian control. A Command and Control (C2) mechanism prevents their accidental or unauthorised use.
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ARTICLE 4: Institutional structure for Nuclear energy
1. Establishment of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The Nuclear Energy Authority (NEA) is hereby established.
2. Functions of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The NEA shall have the following functions:
(a) To promote the safe, peaceful, and efficient use of nuclear energy;
(b) To regulate the nuclear Industry;
(c) To conduct research and development in the field of nuclear energy;
(d) To provide information and Education on nuclear energy; and
(e) To cooperate with other countries in the field of nuclear energy.
3. Composition of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The NEA shall consist of a Board of Directors, a Director-General, and such other staff as may be necessary.
4. Appointment of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The Board of Directors shall be appointed by the President. The Director-General shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
5. Term of office of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The term of office of the Board of Directors shall be three years. The term of office of the Director-General shall be five years.
6. Remuneration of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The Board of Directors and the Director-General shall be paid such remuneration as may be determined by the President.
7. Meetings of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a month. The Director-General shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors whenever necessary.
8. Quorum of the Nuclear Energy Authority
A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board.
9. Decision-making of the Nuclear Energy Authority
Decisions of the Board of Directors shall be made by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting.
10. Disclosure of information by the Nuclear Energy Authority
The NEA shall make available to the public such information as it considers appropriate, subject to the provisions of any applicable law.
11. Annual report of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The NEA shall submit an annual report to the President and to the Congress.
12. Audit of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The NEA shall be audited annually by the Comptroller General.
13. Indemnity of the Nuclear Energy Authority
The members of the Board of Directors and the Director-General shall be indemnified by the Government against any liability incurred in the performance of their duties.
14. Repeal and Savings
All laws and regulations inconsistent with this Article are hereby repealed. However, nothing in this Article shall affect the validity of any contract or other legal instrument entered into before the effective date of this Article.
What is the institutional structure for nuclear energy?
The institutional structure for nuclear energy is a complex system of organizations and agencies that are responsible for the safe and efficient development and use of nuclear energy. The system includes international organizations, national governments, and industry groups.
What are the roles of the different organizations in the institutional structure for nuclear energy?
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an independent international organization that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and safeguards against its misuse. The IAEA provides technical assistance to countries, helps to build nuclear power plants, and conducts inspections to ensure that nuclear materials are not being used for weapons purposes.
National governments are responsible for regulating the nuclear industry within their borders. They issue licenses to nuclear power plants, set safety standards, and monitor the performance of nuclear facilities.
Industry groups represent the interests of the nuclear industry. They work to promote the use of nuclear energy, develop new technologies, and educate the public about nuclear energy.
What are the challenges facing the institutional structure for nuclear energy?
One of the biggest challenges facing the institutional structure for nuclear energy is the issue of nuclear waste. Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste that must be carefully disposed of. There is no permanent solution to the problem of nuclear waste disposal, and this is a major concern for many people.
Another challenge facing the institutional structure for nuclear energy is the threat of terrorism. Nuclear power plants are potential targets for terrorists, and this is a major concern for governments around the world.
What are the future prospects for the institutional structure for nuclear energy?
The future prospects for the institutional structure for nuclear energy are uncertain. The challenges facing the system are significant, but there is also a growing recognition of the need for nuclear energy to address Climate change. It is possible that the institutional structure for nuclear energy will be reformed in the future to address these challenges.
Question 1
The IAEA is responsible for:
(a) Promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
(b) Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons
(c) Both (a) and (b)
Question 2
The IAEA is headquartered in:
(a) Vienna, Austria
(b) Geneva, Switzerland
(c) New York City, USA
Question 3
The IAEA was founded in:
(a) 1957
(b) 1945
(c) 1946
Question 4
The IAEA has 164 member states.
(a) True
(b) False
Question 5
The IAEA’s Director General is Rafael Mariano Grossi.
(a) True
(b) False
Question 6
The IAEA’s budget for 2023 is $3.5 billion.
(a) True
(b) False
Question 7
The IAEA’s main activities are:
(a) Safeguards
(b) Technical cooperation
(c) Nuclear security
(d) All of the above
Question 8
The IAEA’s safeguards system is designed to verify that nuclear materials are not being used for non-peaceful purposes.
(a) True
(b) False
Question 9
The IAEA’s technical cooperation program provides assistance to developing countries in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
(a) True
(b) False
Question 10
The IAEA’s nuclear security program is designed to prevent nuclear materials and technologies from falling into the wrong hands.
(a) True
(b) False