India to set up Global Centre for N-Energy Partnership: PM

As soon as Singh made the announcement at the Nuclear Security Summit, US President Barack Obama intervened to welcome it, saying "this will be one more tool to establish best practises" in the quest for nuclear safety.

Addressing the Summit convened by Obama here, Singh said the Centre will consist of four Schools dealing with Advanced Nuclear Energy System Studies, Nuclear Security, Radiation Safety and application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology in areas of healthcare, agriculture and food.

The Centre is visualised to be a state-of-the-art facility based on international participation from IAEA and other interested foreign partners.It will conduct research and development of design systems that are intrinsically safe, secure, proliferation resistant and sustainable, the Prime Minister told leaders from 47 countries.

Singh invited participation in the venture by other countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency to make the Centre's work a success.

India is continually upgrading technology to develop nuclear systems that are intrinsically safe, secure and proliferation resistant. It recently developed an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor based on Low Enriched Uranium and thorium with new safety and proliferation-resistant features.

As a founder member of the IAEA, India has consistently supported the central role of the UN nuclear watchdog in facilitating national efforts to strengthen nuclear security and in fostering effective international cooperation.India has so far conducted nine Regional Training Courses on Nuclear Security in cooperation with the IAEA.

The objective of the School of Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems Studies would be to pursue design studies and analysis of advanced nuclear energy systems with features to achieve intrinsically enhanced safety, security, proliferation resistance and sustainability.
The programme modules will encompass reactor systems and applications, fuel cycle studies, accelerator driven systems, risk assessment studies, emergency planning and management and sustainability parameters assessment.

The School of Nuclear Security Studies aims at imparting training to security forces on application of physical protection systems and response procedures, to enhance physical security of nuclear facilities by developing and deploying most modern technological tools including information security and to provide facilities for test and evaluation of sensors and systems used for physical security.

At the School of Radiological Safety Studies, research and development would be carried out in radiation monitoring including development of detectors and systems.
It will also entail studies to develop decision support systems for nuclear emergency management, to conduct radiation transport, shielding, dispersion modelling and impact assessment studies, to impart training to and certification of personnel in radiation protection principles and safety practises, and to maintain and update radiation protection standards.

The School for Studies on Application of Radio-Isotopes and Radiation Technologies will undertake courses to provide state-of-the art research, development, demonstration and training facilities in the field.