AERB Newsletter
Volume 36 | Issue 2
April-June, 2025
FROM CHAIRPERSON'S DESK
Dear Readers,
Greetings to all!
I am delighted to address you through this platform, AERB Newsletter, as the second quarter of 2025 comes to a close. This period has been marked by significant progress in strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing safety culture, and modernizing our operational framework.
It gives me immense pleasure to share with you that, with due approval of the Board of AERB, the Licence for regular operation of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS 3&4) was issued recently after comprehensive safety review and assessments. These 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units will further enhance the nuclear energy share in electricity generation in India, and contribute significantly to India's resolve to reach 'Net Zero'.
AERB issued the Consent for the expansion of the RAPPCOF facility, at Rawatbhatta site, on May 13, 2025. The expansion of the RAPPCOF facility is aimed at enhancing the radiation source manufacturing capacities by augmenting infrastructure to handle components from indigenous 700MWe PHWRs. AERB after the satisfactory safety review of the design modification and commissioning of India's first category-II gamma radiation processing facility of BRIT, Mumbai, after its major upgradation issued the Licence for regular operation.AERB's commitment to safety is unwavering as we continue to maintain regulatory oversight on licensed facilities and activities and conduct regulatory inspections across various nuclear and radiation facilities in the country. Our resident site observers provide continuous regulatory oversight at four nuclear power plant sites at Rawatbhatta, Kalpakkam, Kakrapar, and Kudankulam.
AERB continues to promote safety through various events, such as stakeholder engagement meetings and workshops on important topics. These initiatives provide an opportunity for open dialogue and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. A discussion meeting on 'Nuclear Medicine Radiation Facilities' was conducted at the Northern Region Regulatory Centre (NRRC) of AERB at New Delhi.
The outcome of the meeting, which provided valuable inputs for strengthening regulatory guidance and developing new regulations, was a testament to our stakeholders' commitment to safety.
AERB has taken the initiative to organise a series of stakeholder engagement meetings to gather their inputs on the radiation application-specific Safety Guides which are under development. The fifteenth interactive programme for the stakeholders of Safety Guide on "Radioactive Sources for Research and Education" was organised on April 08, 2025 at AERB, Mumbai. Suggestions and feedback from the stakeholders were noted.
AERB has been deriving technical and scientific support from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, a premier multidisciplinary research & development organisation under the DAE. AERB had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BARC for continued and sustained support, as a part of commitment to safety and excellence. The same was renewed on June 27, 2025.
In the late nineties, AERB supported the initiative of setting up the State Level Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) for adequate regulatory coverage of medical diagnostic X-ray facilities. The first authorisation for setting up DRS was issued to the Government of Kerala in March 1999. Progressively, AERB had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a few other States and issued authorisation for the functioning of DRS. Currently, all MOUs with State Governments have lapsed, and there is no DRS functional with valid authorisation. In view of the experience feedback, various developments and initiatives by AERB towards strengthening the regulatory control over medical diagnostic X-ray facilities, AERB has decided to discontinue the practice of issuing authorisation to State Level DRS.
In view of the experience feedback, various developments and initiatives by AERB towards strengthening the regulatory control over medical diagnostic X-ray facilities, AERB has decided to discontinue the practice of issuing authorisation to State Level DRS.
Sadly, we lost Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, an eminent and distinguished nuclear scientist, on May 20, 2025. AERB pays its heartfelt tributes to Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, who was Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India, DAE (1987-1990). We are grateful for the continued support of our stakeholders in our commitment to safety and excellence. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and uphold safety as a fundamental value. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership. Let us continue to work together towards achieving excellence in nuclear and radiation safety.Warm regards,
Dinesh Kumar Shukla
Chairperson, AERB
1.0 BOARD MEETING OF AERB
The 152 nd AERB Board meeting was held on June 19, 2025 at AERB, Mumbai. Board considered the application for regular operation of Units 3 & 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-3&4), the country's first 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
2.0 AERB GRANTS LICENCE FOR OPERATION OF INDIA’S FIRST 700MWe PRESSURISED HEAVY WATER REACTOR
AERB has satisfactorily concluded the design and commissioning safety reviews and issued the Licence for regular operation of Units 3 & 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-3&4), the country's first 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). KAPS-3&4 being the first of its kind, involved a comprehensive and rigorous safety review and assessment process. The Licence was handed over by Dr. D. K. Shukla, Chairperson, AERB, to Shri B. C. Pathak, Chairman & Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
This milestone, being the first of its kind, involved a comprehensive and rigorous multi-tiered safety review and assessment process, underscoring our commitment to nuclear safety. The License was formally handed over by Dr. D. K. Shukla, Chairman, AERB, to Shri B. C. Pathak, Chairman & Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
3.0 AERB GRANTS CONSENT FOR EXPANSION OF THE RAPPCOF FACILITY
On May 13, 2025, AERB issued the Consent for the expansion of the RAPPCOF facility, Rawatbhatta site after detailed review and assessment of the application. The expansion of the RAPPCOF facility is aimed at enhancing the radiation source manufacturing capacities by augmenting the infrastructure to handle components from indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs.
4.0 AERB ISSUES CONSENT FOR SITING OF MAHI BANSWARA RAJASTHAN ATOMIC POWER PROJECT (MBRAPP - 1 TO 4)
Nuclear Power Cooperation of India submitted application for siting of four units of 700 MWe PHWRs at Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power project. After satisfactory reviews at AERB, Consent for siting was granted by AERB.
5.0 AERB GRANTS LICENCE FOR OPERATION OF THE ISOMED FACILITY
ISOMED, the first and only category-II gamma irradiator of the country installed in 1974 at BARC- BRIT South Site, Trombay for radiation processing (sterilization) of medical products underwent major design modification and safety systems upgrade in 2018. After completion of the upgrades, and a detailed safety review and inspections, AERB issued the Licence for regular operation of the facility.
6.0 AERB GRANTS PERMISSION TO ACTREC, NAVI MUMBAI, FOR SUPRA-HIGH DOSE I-131, THERAPY: 1ST IN INDIA
A proposal from Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), a unit of Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, for the administration of 800 mCi of I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG), a supra-high dose to a 16-year-old patient was reviewed by AERB. AERB re-assessed the shielding requirements of the isolation ward originally approved for the use of 300 mCi/week of I-131. Following a detailed review of the radiation safety aspects and the additional shielding measures proposed, AERB approved the procedure. AERB officials also visited the site to verify compliance with the regulatory requirements.
7.0 REGULATORY INSPECTIONS OF NUCLEAR, INDUSTRIAL AND RADIATION FACILITIES
As a part of regulatory oversight on licensed facilities and activities, AERB conducted 32 inspections in various nuclear and DAE industrial facilities in the country.
No safety significant deviation was observed in these facilities during these inspections. AERB resident site observers stationed at four nuclear power plant sites at Rawatbhata, Kalpakkam, Kakrapara, and Kudankulam continued to observe site activities and provided inputs to AERB. AERB carried out 111 unannounced regulatory inspections of radiation practices in the country. Nine deviations of moderate safety significance were observed during these inspections. Besides, 17 special inspections related to type approval testing of radiation generating equipment for medical practice, pre-licencing inspection of medical cyclotron and gamma radiation processing facilities were also carried out by AERB in this quarter.
8.0 DISCONTINUATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO STATE LEVEL DIRECTORATE OF RADIATION SAFETY (DRS)
In late nineties, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) supported the initiative of setting up of State Level Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) for effective regulatory coverage of medical diagnostic X-ray facilities. The First authorization for setting up of DRS was issued to Government of Kerala in March 1999. Progressively, AERB had signed Memorandum of Understanding with few other States and issued authorization for functioning of DRS. Currently, all MOUs with State Governments have lapsed and there is no DRS functional with valid authorization. In view of the experience feedback, various developments and initiatives by AERB towards strengthening of regulatory control over medical diagnostic X-ray facilities, AERB has decided to discontinue the practice of issuing authorization to State Level DRS.
9.0 AERB RENEWS THE AGREEMENT WITH BARC FOR SEEKING TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT
AERB has been deriving continuous technical and scientific support in the fields of regulation of nuclear and radiation safety in the country from Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC),a premier multidisciplinary research & development organization under the DAE engaged in research & development in frontier areas of science and technology.
The existing mechanism was renewed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BARC for continued and sustained support, on June 27, 2025 through an agreement signed by Shri Vivek Bhasin, Director, BARC and Dr. D.K. Shukla, Chairperson, AERB in presence of senior officers from BARC and AERB.
10.0 USER DEVELOPER'S MEET FOR TRINITIEE AND PRABHAVINI
A two-day User-Developer's Meet for TRINITIEE and PRABHAVINI was jointly organized by the Reactor Design and Development Group, BARC, and AERB on June 23-24, 2025 at Niyamak Bhavan, AERB, Mumbai. TRINITIEE (a Probabilistic Safety Assessment tool) and PRABHAVINI (a Deterministic Safety Analysis tool) are indigenously developed under the leadership of BARC to strengthen safety analysis capabilities in the nuclear domain.
11.0 STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
AERB has taken initiative of organizing series of stakeholder engagement meetings to take their views on the radiation application specific Safety Guides under development.
The programme for the stakeholders of "Radioactive Sources for Research and Education" Practice was conducted on April 08, 2025 at AERB Mumbai. Chairperson, AERB addressed the participants and briefed about the development of the Safety Guide.
He informed to the participants about AERB's approach of the inclusiveness of the stakeholders in the development of the regulations. Suggestions and feedbacks of the stakeholders were noted for further deliberations and appropriate inclusion in the Safety Guide.
12.0 AWARENESS PROGRAMME FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE RADIATION FACILITIES IN NORTHERN INDIA
As a part of safety promotion and Licensee awareness, AERB organized an awareness programme for the Nuclear Medicine (NM) facilities in northern India. The programme was organized through its Northern Regional Regulatory Centre (NRRC) for the employer/licensees & radiological safety officers (RSO) of NM facilities on "Radiation Safety and Regulatory Aspects of NM facilities" on May 30, 2025.
The programme was aimed to sensitize the employer / licensees / radiological safety officers on their roles and responsibilities for safe handling of radiation sources in NM facilities, thereby ensuring safety. About 150 participants comprising NM physicians, RSOs, NM technologists from various NM facilities attended the full day programme.
13.0 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR STRUCTURE AND NUCLEAR REACTIONS (ICNSNR-2025)
Dr. D. K. Shukla, Chairperson, AERB graced the International Conference on Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Reactions (ICNSNR-2025) held during May 05-07, 2025 at the Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh as chief guest.
He addressed the gathering and delivered a talk on 'Accelerated Nuclear Growth–Safety Regulation & Future Challenges'.
14.0 INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY-2025
World Yoga Day celebrations were organised in AERB on June 21, 2025. The Yoga protocol recommended by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) was followed.
The staff actively participated in the yoga session, promoting physical well-being and mindfulness among the employees.
15.0 TRIBUTES TO PADMA VIBHUSHAN LATE DR. M. R. SRINIVASAN
Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, an eminent and distinguished nuclear scientist left for his heavenly abode on May 20, 2025.
AERB paid its heartfelt tributes to Dr. M. R. Srinivasan who was former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and Secretary to the, DAE, Government of India.
16.0 HINDI PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES
Hindi Workshop
1. Nominated AERB officials participated in the joint Hindi workshop organised under the aegis of joint official language coordination committee of five units of DAE organized by Heavy Water Board (HWB) during April 22-24, 2025.
2. Nominated AERB officials participated in the joint UNICODE computer workshop organized under the aegis of joint official language coordination committee of five units of DAE, conducted by Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai during June 11-12, 2025.
Hindi Training
With the objective to provide the working knowledge of Hindi to all the employees of AERB, the Board provides Hindi training every year as per roster through Hindi teaching scheme. In this quarter, three officers from AERB were nominated for the Praveen Course and one officer for Hindi shorthand training.
Publication of House Magazine Niyamika
AERB published the 10th issue of its House Magazine "Niyamika". Niyamika was released by the Chairperson, AERB in the meeting of Official Language Implementation Committee (OLIC) of AERB held on June 05, 2025.
17.0 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The AERB workforce is being augmented at different levels and through various channels in view of the expanding Nuclear Power Programme and an increasing number of radiation facilities.
The following officials joined/left AERB on appointment/transfer/superannuation/resignation:
| S. No. | Name | Designation | Date of Joining | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shri B. Pasupathy | Assistant Personal Officer (G) | 07-04-2025 | Transfer in the same capacity from NRB |
| 1 | Smt Meera M. Saigaonkar | Assistant Account Officer | 15-05-2025 | Transferred to DAE on promotion |
| 2 | Shri Avinash J. Gaikwad | Outstanding Scientist | 30-06-2025 | Superannuation |
| S. No. | Name | Designation | Name of Institute/ University | Title of Thesis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. M. Senthilkumar | Scientific Officer-F | Anna University, Chennai | Analysis and optimization of occupational and patient radiation dose in clinical applications |
| 2 | Dr. Smarti Sharma | Scientific Officer-F | TMH, HBNI, Mumbai | Quality audit in flattening filter free beams of high precision radiotherapy |
| 3 | Dr. Meghraj Singh | Scientific Officer-F | BARC, HBNI, Mumbai | Development of a computational framework for estimation of gamma dose absorbed in products irradiated in gamma irradiator |
Shri A.P. Garg, Director,
Directorate of Resource, Administration, and External Relations
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Niyamak Bhavan Anushaktinagar, Mumbai-400094, Maharashtra, INDIA
Feedback
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