Lok Sabha Question No. 776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Development of Nuclear Science
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 776 ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## Development of Nuclear Science

776. SHRI D.K. SURESH :

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  promote  and  develop  nuclear sciences in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  for  building  up  adequately  trained manpower for the development of the atomic energy programmes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  earmarked  adequate  funds  to  provide  financial assistance for further studies in nuclear sciences and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) To  promote  the  Nuclear  Sciences  in  the  country  and  instilling  interest  in nuclear  sciences,  periodic  visits  to  Department  facilities  like  Bhabha  Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR),  Raja  Ramanna  Centre  for  Advanced  Technology  (RRCAT)  and Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), which are multi-disciplinary Research Centres having excellent infrastructure for advanced Research and Development with expertise covering the entire spectrum of usages of atomic energy  are  arranged  for  school  and  college  students  for  motivating  them towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Students from various schools are invited on National Science day every year to visit various nuclear facilities & the exhibitions that display various nuclear technologies developed by Department.  In addition, internship opportunities are offered to college students across the country to boost their interest and knowledge in the field of nuclear sciences.

Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  organizes  Outreach  Programme  for college  students  from  various  universities  in  the  country  to  attract  young engineers  and  science  post  graduates  to  explore  their  career  in  field  of nuclear science. This year one of the outreach programmes was conducted at women's  University  'Bhanasthali  Vidyapeeth'  in  Jaipur,  with  an  aim  to encourage more number of female candidates to apply for the vacancies in DAE.

DAE through Board  of  Research  in  Nuclear  Sciences  (BRNS),  collaborates with educational institutes, universities and national laboratories for conducting  R&D  to  promote  and  encourage  scientific  research  in  field  of nuclear science in the country.  BRNS also provides financial assistance to organize symposia/conferences/workshops on topics of relevance to the DAE programmes.

Research and Development is carried out in the field of Agriculture, Physical sciences, Chemical sciences, Bio-sciences, Food Preservation, Water Desalination and Water Purification, Nuclear Reactor Technologies, Reprocessing and Waste Management.  In this process several technologies are developed and are useful for societal application.  These technologies are available for technology transfer on non-exclusive basis to entrepreneurs for commercialisation.

Further,  a  programme  called  Advanced  Knowledge  and  Rural  Technology Implementation  (AKRUTI),  for  deployment  of  Spin-off  technologies  in  rural areas has been formulated for skill development & socio-economic growth of the rural areas.

- (b)  &  (c)  For  building  up  adequately  trained  manpower  for the development of the atomic energy programme, DAE is running its Training Schools for Training Young  Engineers  and  Science  Postgraduates  through  its  Orientation Course  for  Engineering  Graduates  and  Science  Postgraduates  (OCES) program.  This one year long training program is being run by DAE every year  since  1957.  Every  year  around  200  Engineering  graduates  and Science  Postgraduates  are  trained  to  become  Nuclear  Scientists.    The coursework  done  by  the  Trainee  Scientific  Officers  (TSOs)  earns  them credits  towards  an  M.Tech  degree.  The  TSOs  are  encouraged  to  pursue M.Tech  under  the  aegis  of  HBNI  by  producing  a  M.Tech  dissertation subsequent to their absorption in one of the DAE units.

To cater to the need of technical staff, Graduates in Science and Diploma holders in Engineering are recruited through a two-year Stipendiary training scheme  (Category-I).  They  are  absorbed  as  Scientific  Assistant-C  after successful  completion  of  the  training  in  the  various  activities  of  DAE. Similarly, candidates having qualification of HSC (science) or SSC followed by  ITI  certificate  are  also  recruited  under  Two-years  Stipendiary  Training Scheme  (Category-II) and they are absorbed as Technicians after successful completion of the training in the various facilities of DAE.

The DAE Training Schools also  have DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme (DGFS) wherein a few selected candidates are allowed to pursue M.Tech in a few designated institutes known for their academic excellence and are paid stipend by DAE. Additionally, their tuition fee is reimbursed by DAE. On  successful  completion  of  M.Tech  these  candidates  are  absorbed  in DAE.  On  absorption  these  trainee  officers  undergo  4-months  course  in Nuclear  Science  and  Technology.  These  Trainees  are  placed  to  various units of the DAE.

Dr. K.S. Krishnan Research Associates Fellowship (KSKRA) is one of the flagship research programmes of DAE through which the Scientific Officers are selected and appointed.  Research Associates are selected under this programme from within  India  as  well  as  Indian  scientists  residing  abroad and they are given an opportunity to work on R&D programmes of national

importance  relevant  to  the  DAE  mandate  and  offers  prospects  of  regular absorption in DAE units. Under this scheme candidates with Ph.D. Degree in  Engineering  or  Master's  Degree  in  Engineering  with  minimum  2  years R&D experience or Ph.D. Degree in Science with 2 years experience are eligible for applying.  After completion of the 2 years associateship, subject to  satisfactory  performance,  they  are  absorbed  in  DAE  in  the  grade  of Scientific Officer D or E level (level 11 or 12).

DAE also conducts doctoral programme (Ph.D /Integrated Ph.D (Single and Dual Degree)) through Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) under DAE Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (DDFS).  HBNI is a deemed to be university and is a Grant-in-Aid institution of the DAE. HBNI is a research university that  educates  students  at  the  doctoral  and  post-graduation  level,  and pursues research in accordance with department's mandate. These students do research work in the domain  of Nuclear Science  and Engineering.

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