The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has appointed A.K. Balasubrahmanian as its new Chairman, replacing Dr. D.K. Shukla who completed his tenure. The appointment has been made for a period of three years. Balasubrahmanian brings with him a distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years in the field of nuclear power safety, having worked extensively within India's nuclear establishment.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is India's principal regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety. Established in 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, AERB operates under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and is responsible for prescribing safety standards and exercising regulatory control over the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in India.
AERB's mandate covers the safety of nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel cycle facilities, and the use of radiation sources in medicine, industry, and agriculture. It grants licences, conducts safety inspections, enforces regulatory compliance, and promotes radiation safety awareness across India. The Board consists of a Chairman, members from technical and scientific bodies, and representatives from relevant government ministries.
Balasubrahmanian's appointment comes at a critical juncture when India is aggressively expanding its nuclear power generation capacity. The government has ambitious plans to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), from the current installed capacity of 8,180 MW. With new reactors being constructed and advanced technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) being explored, a seasoned nuclear safety expert at the helm of AERB is crucial for maintaining the highest standards of safety in India's nuclear energy programme.