About Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC):
- It is India’s premier nuclear research facility.
- It is headquartered in Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- It operates under the Department of Atomic Energy, which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India.
- The statutory framework governing its activities is the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, which vests in the central government exclusive control over atomic minerals, fissile material, and nuclear research, superseding the earlier Atomic Energy Act of 1948.
- It is a multi-disciplinary research centre with extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development covering the entire spectrum of nuclear science and engineering and related areas.
- BARC is the research backbone of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), which currently operates all nuclear power reactors in India.
- History:
- Homi Jehangir Bhabha conceived the nuclear program in India.
- Bhabha established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) to carry out nuclear science research in 1945.
- Bhabha established the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET), in January 1954 for a multidisciplinary research program essential for the ambitious nuclear program of India.
- After the death of Bhabha in 1966, AEET was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
- Functions:
- It is engaged in research with the objective of generating knowledge and techniques for nuclear power production, the advancement of nuclear science, the use of radioisotopes in industry, health, and agriculture, and research in frontier areas of science and technology.
- It is responsible for the design and development of nuclear reactors, fuel cycle technologies, radiation protection, and safety systems.
- BARC also plays an important role in nuclear education and training. It offers various training programs for scientists, engineers, and technicians in the areas of nuclear science and technology.
