Department of Atomic Energy Nuclear Training Programs Overview
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has established comprehensive training programs in nuclear technology through multiple institutions with specific capacities and specialized courses. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School in Mumbai offers engineering design, development, operation, and maintenance of nuclear reactors with a capacity of 230 trainees, while its Hyderabad facility focuses on uranium exploration techniques with a capacity of 25 trainees.
Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) in Bahadurgarh operates five specialized schools for international collaboration: School of Advanced Nuclear Energy System Studies (reactor systems, fuel cycle studies, emergency planning) with capacity 20-45; School of Nuclear Security Studies (nuclear security, access control, detection systems) capacity 20-45; School on Radiological Safety Studies (dispersion modeling, emergency management) capacity 20-45; School of Nuclear Material Characterization Studies (material analysis, safeguards) capacity 20-45; and School for Applications of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology (healthcare, industry applications) capacity 20-45.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) operates seven Nuclear Training Centres with specific orientation program capacities: Rawatbhata Rajasthan (75 engineers, 60 supervisors, 60 technicians); Tarapur Maharashtra (50 engineers, 60 supervisors, 80 technicians); Narora Atomic Power Station (30 engineers, 30 supervisors, 50 technicians); Kaiga Generation Station (60 engineers, 50 supervisors, 50 technicians); Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (60 engineers, 60 supervisors, 60 technicians); Madras Atomic Power Station (60 engineers, 25 supervisors, 50 technicians); and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (80 engineers, 60 supervisors, 60 technicians).
Training Program Details and Absorption Statistics
DAE's human resource development strategy includes the Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Postgraduates (OCES) providing one-year intensive training through BARC Training School. The DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme (DGFS) enables selected candidates to pursue M.Tech programs at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras followed by nuclear technology training. Category-I trainees (bachelor degree in science) and Category-II trainees (diploma in engineering/ITI trade certificates) receive two-year training before absorption into DAE.
BARC conducts Radiography Technique and Radiological Safety Level-2 training in association with IDEMI (Ministry of MSME), with successful completion mandatory for Radiation Safety Officer certification from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. During 2021-2025, 15 courses were conducted with 514 participants, of which 446 received certification.
Trainee absorption data shows 917 Trainee Scientific Officers admitted to BARC Training Schools in five years, with 863 successfully completing training and absorbed as Scientific Officers in DAE units. Category-I intake was 590 trainees with 51 absorbed into BARC, while Category-II intake was 1,308 with 107 absorbed into BARC, with remaining trainees still undergoing training.
NPCIL training absorption by site (2021-2025): Rawatbhata (219 engineers, 145 supervisors, 130 technicians); Tarapur (86 engineers, 34 supervisors, 7 technicians); Narora (27 engineers, 54 supervisors, 128 technicians); Kaiga (153 engineers, 20 technicians); Kakrapar (175 engineers, 85 supervisors, 71 technicians); Madras (142 engineers, 41 supervisors, 40 technicians); Kudankulam (293 engineers). The government has strengthened the skill development ecosystem through these structured programs, knowledge sharing with Indian industries, and developing nuclear vendors for self-reliance.