Atomic Energy Regulatory Board


The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted on 15 November 1983 by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Act. The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Environmental Act, 1986. The headquarters is in Mumbai.
The mission of the Board is to ensure that the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to health and the environment. Currently, the Board consists of a full-time Chairman, an ex officio Member, three part-time Members and a Secretary.
AERB is supported by the Safety Review Committee for Operating Plants, Safety Review Committee for Applications of Radiation and Advisory Committees for Project Safety Review . ACPSRs recommend to AERB issuance of authorisations at different stages of a plant of the Department of Atomic Energy, after reviewing the submissions made by the plant authorities based on the recommendations of the associated Design Safety Committees. The SARCOP carries out safety surveillance and enforces safety stipulations in the operating units of the DAE. The SARCAR recommends measures to enforce radiation safety in medical, industrial and research institutions which use radiation and radioactive sources.
AERB also receives advice from the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety. ACNS is composed of experts from AERB, DAE and institutions outside the DAE. ACNS provides recommendations on the safety codes, Guides and manuals prepared for siting, design, construction, operation, quality assurance and decommissioning/life extension of nuclear power plants which have been prepared by the respective advisory committees for each of these areas. It also advises the Board on generic safety issues. ACNS examines and advice on any specific matter that are referred to it by AERB.
The administrative and regulatory mechanisms which are in place ensure multi-tier review by experts available nationwide. These experts come from reputed academic institutions and governmental agencies.

The Formation of AERB: Down the memory Lane

DAE Safety Review Committee (DAE-SRC)

Recommendation to set up AERB

Divisions and Directorates of AERB

AERB secretariat has Nine technical divisions & two supporting divisions. The heads and directors of divisions constitute the Executive Committee which meets periodically with Chairman, AERB and Executive Director, AERB to take decisions on important policy matters related to the management of the Secretariat of the Board. The different divisions of AERB are:
1. OPSD : Operating Plant Safety Division
2. NPSD : Nuclear Projects Safety Division
3. RSD : Radiological Safety Division
4. NSAD : Nuclear Safety Analysis Division
5. R&DD :Resources & Documentation Division
6. DRI: Directorate of Regulatory Inspection
7. DRA&C: Directorate of Regulatory Affairs & Communications
8. DRP&E: Directorate of Radiation Protection & Environment
9. SRI : Safety Research Institute, Kalpakkam
Support Division
1. Administration Division
2. Accounts Division

Operating Plants Safety Division (OPSD)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Safety Review, safety Surveillance and licensing of operating Nuclear Power Plants, Research Reactors, fuel cycle facilities under operation and non-DAE BSM & NORM industries
* Administration of industrial safety under Factories Act in all nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities under operation
* Review of industrial, fire and occupational health safety aspects including industrial injuries and accidents in all nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities under operation
* Review of on-site and off-site emergency preparedness plans including chemical emergencies under Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules
* Conducting Periodic Safety Review and Renewal of Authorization
* Licensing of the operating personnel and the management staff
* Review of nuclear security aspects in operating plant
* Regulatory Inspection and Enforcement in respect of all operating Nuclear Power Plants, Research Reactors, fuel cycle facilities under operation and non-DAE BSM & NORM industries
* Co-ordination with International Atomic Energy Agency for the International Nuclear Event Scale based reporting of events and for the Incident Reporting System operated by IAEA/NEA
* Secretariat of SARCOP
* Review of safety performance w.r.t industrial and fire safety in all DAE units and reward the winning units with AERB safety awards
* Organize DAE Safety and Occupational Health professionals’ meet every year

Nuclear Projects Safety Division (NPSD)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Licensing, Surveillance and Safety Review of Radiation Installations, Radiation Generating Equipment and Devices containing Radioactive Sources with respect to radiation safety
* Licensing, Surveillance and Safety Review of BRIT facilities, RAPPCOF, DAE accelerator and LASER facilities with respect to both radiation safety and industrial safety
* Implementation of Atomic Energy Rules, 2004 and Atomic Energy Rules, 1987 in radiation facilities
* Implementation of Atomic Energy Rules, 1996 in BRIT facilities, RAPPCOF, accelerator and LASER facilities
* Granting import/export permission and shipment approval for transport of radioactive consignments
* Secretariat for Safety Review Committee for Application of Radiation

Nuclear Safety Analysis Division (NSAD)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Probabilistic Safety Assessment.
* Deterministic Safety Analysis.
* Safety Review of Indian Nuclear Power Plants.
* Nuclear Regulatory Research.
* Independent Verifications.
* Reactor Physics Review
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
https://www.aerb.gov.in/images/PDF/nsadpublications.pdf

Resources & Documentation Division (R&DD)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Regulatory Safety Documents Development & Publication
* Coordination for development of IAEA standards in India
* Management of Resources for AERB including:
* Human Resources
* Financial Planning
* Infrastructure for developing Regional Regulatory Centers
* Management Systems
* Promotion of Safety Research Projects
* Public outreach activities
* Monitoring and modifications of AERB website
* IT activities

Directorate of Regulatory Inspection (DRI)

Primary responsibilities
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Review and Assessment of Radiation Protection to Ensure Radiological Safety
* Requirements for Emergency Preparedness and Response plans of Nuclear Power Plants and Radiation Facilities
* Radiological Impact on People and Environment
* Radiation Dose Apportionment for Nuclear Power Plants and Radiation Facilities
* Waste Management of Nuclear Power Plants and Radiation facilities

- Provide technical and regulatory support to the nodal divisions in the above specialized field

* Developing infrastructure and resources for monitoring and assessing emergency response actions

Safety Research Institute (SRI), Kalpakkam

The major activities of SRI include research and development in areas of regulatory interest. Some of these areas are listed below:

I. Nuclear Plant Safety Studies

III. Environmental Safety Studies

IV. Regulatory Inspection

AERB has a mechanism to check its effectiveness and quality assurance in its activities and a process by which it improves its systems through its own experience feedback and international regulatory practices.

Important persons