(40-A): India’s Nuclear Programme

Chapter in detail:

Atomic Energy

The department of atomic energy (DAE), established on 3 august 1954 is engaged in the

development of nuclear power technology, applications of radiations technologies in the field

of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic research.

Following are the profile of DAE’s achievements and activities under its major programmes.

Nuclear Power Programme

DAE has been pursing the following 3 stages nuclear power programme :

The first stage comprises setting up of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs)

and associated fuel cycle facilities. In PHWRs natural uranium as fuel and heavy

water as modulator and coolant.

The second stage envisages setting up of fast breeder reactors (FBIs) backed by

reprocessing plants and plutonium –based fuel fabrication plants. Plutonium is

produced by irradiation -238.

The third stage is based on the thorium -uranium – 233 cycles. Uranium – 233 is

obtained by irradiation of thorium.

The first stage comprises of nuclear power programme is already in commercial domain.

The nuclear power cooperation of India ltd. (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking of DAE, is

responsible for the design, construction and operation of nuclear power reactors. The

company operates 17 reactors. With a total capacity of 4120 MWe.

The fast breeder programme is in the technology demonstration stage. To gain experience in

the second stage, the Indian Gandhi center for atomic research (IGCAR) has been engaged

in the design and developed of liquid sodium cooled fast breeder reactors. IGCAR has

successfully developed the fast breeder reactor (FBR) technology. The operational

experience of FBTR of more than two decades and further technology developments have

facilated the design of a 500 MWe protype fast breeder reactor ( currently under construction

in kalpakkam). A new public sector undertaking bhartiya nabhikiya vidhut nigam (BHAVINI) of

DAE is implementing this project which is expected to add 500 MWe to the southern grid by

the year 2010-11.

The third stage of the nuclear power programme is in technology development stage. The

ongoing development of 300 MWe advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR) at BARC aims at

developing expertise for thorium utilization and demonstrating advanced safety concepts.

Thorium based system such as AHWR can be set up on commercial scale only after a large

capacity based on fast breeder reactors, is built up.

Nuclear power programme: stage-1

(A) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

For the Indian nuclear power programme, which took off in the sixties, PHWR was the

reactors of choice for the first stage of the programme. However, to gain operational

experience, initially an atomic power station comprising two boiling water reactors

(BWR) was set up at tarapur, Maharastra. This was a turnkey project of the general

electric of USA. Commissioned in 1969, the station is still in operation.

The first two PHWRs, at rawatbhata, Rajasthan, started commercial production in

1973 and 1981. The first unit (RAPS-1) was built with the help of the atomic energy of

Canada ltd. (AECL). However, the second unit was completed with the indigenous

research and development endeavour and the support of the Indian industry. This

success followed commissioning of the two 220 MWe reactors at kalpakkam near

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the years 1884 and 1986. Later, the design of the 20 MWe

PHWR was standardized and two reactors of this design were commissioned at

Narora, Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1992.

The design standardization has markedly reduced gestation period of new reactors.

This technology of PHWR reached commercial maturity with the commissioning of

two 220 MWe PHWRs at kakrapar (Gujarat) in 1993 and 1995. in the year 2000, four

state willing to installed 220 MWe PHWRs, two each at kaiga ( Karnataka) and

rawatbhata (Rajasthan) com

online. One more 220 MWe PHWR was commissioned at kaiga in May 2007.

DAE has an ambitious nuclear power programme that’s aims at achieving an installed

nuclear power capacity of 20,000 MWe by the year 2020, through internal recourses and

external collaborations.

(B) The Nuclear Cycle

The nuclear power programme has a number of ancillary operations which form the

nuclear fuel cycle. The front-end of this cycle includes minerals exploration, mining

and processing of ore, and fuel fabrication. Reprocessing of spent uranium fuel

management of nuclear waste form part of the back-end of the cycle.

India has acquired comprehensive capacity in PHWR design, construction and

operation of associated plants/ facilities covering the entire nuclear fuel cycle of the

nuclear power programme based on pressurized heavy water reactors. This includes

production of heavy water that is used as moderator and coolant in PHWR.

The DAE organizations contributing to the front – end of the nuclear fuel cycle

programme these are the atomic minerals directorate for research and exploration

(AMD), Hyderabad; Uranium corporation of India ltd (UCIL), Jadugura (Jharkhand);

Nuclear Fuel complex (NFC), Hyderabad; and heavy water board (HWB) , Mumbai.

BARC and IGCAR administrator the back end of the cycle.

(C) Survey and exploration

Survey and exploration for atomic minerals had commenced in 1949. over the years ,

uranium deposits has been located at jadugura, Bhatin, Narwapahar, Turamdih (east

and south), Banduhuran (turamdih west), central keruadungri, bagjata, kanyaluka,

mohulih and nandup in jharkhand; domiasiat and wahkyn in meghalaya; lambapur-

peddagattu, koppunuru and tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh; gogi in Karnataka and

rohil in Rajasthan. So far, AMD has established 61,000 tonnes of uranium metal.

(D) Mining and Ore Processing

The exploratory efforts of AMD, made earlier, had led to the opening of four

underground uranium mines at jadugura, bhatin, narwapahar and turamdih all in

singbhum (east), jharkhand state. A new open cast mine was also commissioned at

Banduhurang in singbhum in 2007. These mines, being operated by the uranium

corporation of India ltd. (UCIL), a public sector undertaking of DAE, have been meting

the needs of the Indian nuclear power programme.

To meet the projected demand of the nuclear power programe, UCIL has taken up

the work to develop mines at Bagjata (in jharkhand), lambopur (Andhra Pradesh) and

domiasiat (Meghalaya). Efforts are being made for exploiting other secondary

recourses.

(E) Nuclear Fuel Fabrication

Nuclear fuel fabrication for power reactors and research reactors is done respectively

at the nuclear fuel complex, Hyderabad, and BARC. In the development of new fuels,

BARC and IGCAR are engaged.

The Indian PHWR uses natural uranium – based fuel. A major milestone was

achieved with the fabrications of the first fuel element at Trombay in 1959.

(F) Back-end of Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The back- end of the nuclear fuel cycle comprises fuel reprocessing and unclear

waste management.

Fuel Reprocessing

The Indian nuclear power generation programme is based on closed cycle approach

that involves reprocessing of spent fuel and recycle of plutonium and uranium -233

for power generation.

DAE has a pilot plant for fuel reprocessing at trombay and industrial scale plants at

tarapur and kalpakkam. The plant at trombay process spent fuel from research

reactors while the other two plants process spent fuel from power reactors.

Nuclear Waste Management

The radioactive wastes generated at various stages of nuclear fuel cycle are

categories low, intermediate and high level wastages. The plants for management of

all types of radioactive wastages have been in operation at many nuclear facilities.

The high level processes, generated in very small quantities, are fixed in a glass

matrix. Verifications, a complex technology possed by a few nations only, have been

successfully developed at trombay. Based on this technology, two waste

immobilization plants (WIPs) have been operating at tarapur and trombay. A facility

for the immobilization of waste in a cement matrix has been commissioned at

kalpakkam. BARC has constructed an advanced verifications system at tarapur at

high level waste immobilization based on joule meter technology. India has become

one of the six countries who have developed the joule heated ceramic mixer (JHCM)

and set up such facilities for verifications of high level waste.

Vitrified waste is stored in a specially designed solid storage surveillance facility

(SSSF) for about 30 years prior to its disposal in deep geological formation. The first

such facility has been in operation at tarapur since 1999.

Support to Nuclear Power

The programmers relating to nuclear and the nuclear power and the nuclear fuel

cycle have built on the multidisciplinary R & D infrastructure of the development. The

research and development relating to PHWR programme encompasses practically all

the aspects of design, manufacture, construction, commission, operation and

maintain of power plant.

The R & D efforts are focused on reducing the unit energy cost through improving

plant efficiency as well as plant availability factors, decreasing the project gestation

period and improving plant safety. R & D has contributed immensely to plant life

management.

The 2 MW in- pipe loop in dhruva reactor installed for nuclear fuel studies is a major

achievement. A remotely operated hydraulic trolley & manipulator (ROHYTAM)

developed for handling of nuclear power plant emergencies, successufully completed

its test run.

(H) Electronics & Instrumentation

To meet the hi-tech instrumentation needs of the nuclear technology, a strong R & D

base was created in electronics and instrumental, first at TIFR and later at BARC.

The knowledge and the products developed at trombay in the area of electronics

have led to the setting up of the electronics of India ltd.(ECIL) at Hyderabad in

1967.the company pioneered the electronics and computer revolution in India. During

seventies and eighties, ECIL led to the television sets and also rural rebroadcast

system.

ECIL, through its software expertise, has contributed to automation in the banking

sector, control room and dial-100 automation for the police, message switching

systems for defense and telecom sectors.

Nuclear and thermal power plants, steel plants and process industries are equipped

with ECIl’s control system developed through in house R & D.

Nuclear power programme – stage: II

(A) Fast Reactor Programme

The second stage of nuclear power generation envisages setting up of fast breeder

reactors (FBRs) backed by reprocessing plants and plutonium – based fuel

fabrication plants. These fast breeder system produce more fuel than what they

consume. FBRs can increase fuel utilization by about sixty times of what is possible

with PHWRs.

IGCAR started the breeder programme with the setting up of a fast breeder test

reactor (FBTR) at kalpakkam. Tamil Nadu in October 1985.this reactor, operating with

indigenously developed mixed uranium- plutonium carbide fuel has achieved its

technology objectives.

Based on the experience gained with the FBTRs, the Bharatiya nabhikiya vidut nigam

ltd. (BHAVINI-formed in October 2003) is constructing a 500 megawatt (e) protype

fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

The thrust of the R & D programme at IGCAR is oriented towards the design

validation of PFBR in the first instance, and subsequently, the design optimization for

future FBRs, to reduce the cost.

(B) Fast Reactor Fuel Fabrication

The mark I mixed carbide fuel core, with high plutonium content, has been developed

for the first time in the world.

Fabrication of mark- II core is progressing at trombly. A number of PFBR MOX fuel

elements for making experimental PFBR subassembly, for irradiation in FBTR, have

been fabricated by BARC.

(C) Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing

For reprocessing of FBTR fuel, the lead mini cell, henceforth known as compact

reprocessing facility for advanced fuels in leads cells (CORAL) has been

commissioned at kalpakkam.it is aimed at establishing the fast reactor reprocessing

process flow sheet. For reprocessing of fuel from breeders, IGCAR is setting up the

fast reactors fuel reprocessing plant (FRFRP).

Nuclear power programme stage: III

(A) Thorium based Reactors

Thorium utilization is the long term core objective of the Indian nuclear power

programme for providing energy for the country a sustainable basis. The third stage

of the Indian nuclear power programe is based on the thoriumuranium-322 cycle.

A beginning has already been made by introducing thorium, in a limited way, in

research reactors and in pressurized heavy water reactors.

The research reactor KAMINI operating up to a normal power of 30 k w for neutron

radiography of various materials, at kalpakkam, uses uranium-23 fuel derived from

thorium. This fuel is bred, reprocessed and fabricated indigenously.

BARC is engaged in developing 300 MWe advanced heavy water reactors (AHWR).

This endeavour aims at developing expertise for thorium utilization and demonstrating

advanced safety concepts.

Mixed thoria-urania and thoria-plutonia are the candidate fuels foe the AHWR.

Design and development of a high temperature reactor system including compact

high temperature reactor, nuclear power pack and high temperature reactor for

hydrogen

generation, mainly for process heat and non-grid based electricity generation applications are

also continuing at trombay.

For breeding fissile uranium-233 from thorium, development of accelater driven sub-critical

system (ADS) for nuclear reactor is the latest addition to the Indian nuclear programme. ADS

can provide a strong technology base for large scale thorium utilization. As a first step

towards realization of ADS, DAE has launched development of proton injector.

Radiation Technologies & Applications

DAE’s programme relating to radiation technologies and application covers building

and operation of research reactors for production of radioisotopes, and other sources

of radiation such as radiation such as accelerators and lasers and developing and

deploying radiation technology applications in the field of medicine, agriculture and

industry.

(A) Research Reactors

The research reactors set up by DAE so far, have been apsara (1mW,fuel: enriched

uranium-aluminum alloy), CIRUS (40 MW,fuel:Natural uranium), zerlina (zero

energy , natural; uranium), purnima I-III(Fuel: plutonium/uranium-233), Dhruva(100

MW, fuel: Natural uranium) at trombay (maharastra) and kamini (30kW,feul:uranium-

233-A1 alloy) and fast breeder test reactors (40 MW, Fuel: uranium-plutonium

carbide) at kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) of the research reactors, zerlina was decommi-

ssioned in 1984, and purnima serious made way for kamini.

Dhruva, CIRUS and Apsara are used for producing radioisotopes besides their use in

research and development relating to nuclear technology and materials, applied and

basic research, and training kamini is used mainly for radiography of various

materials, and FBTR is the test bed for the development of fuel, blanket and structural

materials for fast breeder reactor programme.

(B) Radioisotope Production & Processing

India is a leading producer of radioisotopes in the world. Radioisotopes are produced

in the research reactors at trombay, atomic power reactors at various places in the

country and cyclotron at Kolkata.

(C) Applications of Radioisotopes

The radioisotopes produced at trombay find wide applications in the field of

agriculture and food, medicine and health care, industry, and research. Based on

these applications, the following programmers have been established.

(D) Nuclear Agriculture

The nuclear agriculture programme of DAE focuses on the use of radiation

technology for the development of high yielding crop seeds, radiation processing of

food items, fertilizer and pesticide-realated studies and other areas.

(E) Crop Improvement

BARC in collaboration with agricultural universities has been engaged in research

and development in the field of crop improvement. The center has successfully

developed several high yielding crop verities. Of these 29 varieties have been notified

and released for commercial cultivation by the ministry of agriculture government of

India.

BARC has successfully developed green manure crop sesbania rostrata that is

proving highly cost – effective for small farmers a tissue culture-based protocol for

rapid multiplication of some commercial cultivars of banana has been developed

here. This technology has been transferred to the maharastra state seeds

cooperation.

The center has made good progress in developing hardened plants for acacia

victoriae – a plant suitable for desert areas. Here, several insect pheromones have

been synthesized and techniques for determination of nutrients in soils have been

developed.

(F) Food Processing

These are radiation for demonstration of high and low does applications of radiations.

These are radiation processing plant set up BRIT at navi Mumbai for high does

radiation processing of spices, and KRUSHAK (krushi utpadan sanrakshan Kendra),

set up by BARC at lasalgaon near nashik, for low dose applications of radiations for

food preservation. This plant processes onion, pulses, rawa and turmeric.

The first radiation processing plant in private sector by M/s organic green foods ltd is

operating in kolkata. Three gamma processing plants have been completed in

sonepat (haryana), ambernath (maharastra) and vadodara (Gujarat).

In April 2007, the KRUSHAK radiation processing facility become the first cobalt-60

gamma irradiation facility in the world to be certified by the united states department

of agriculture –animal & plant health inspection services (USDA_APHIS) for

phytonsanitary treatment of mangoes , enabling export of mangoes from India to

USA. India exported the first consignment of 720 kg Alfonzo and kesar mangoes to

the US.

(G) Nuclear Medicine and Health Care

Radioisotopes and their formulations find wide applications in diagnosis, therapy and

health care. BARC and BRIT are the main centers of this activity.

At BARC, cesium-137 based brachy therapy sources are routinely produced. For

treatment of cancer of eye, radiations sources of the size of rice grain, containing 2-3

mille curie of lodine-125, have been produced here. Another salient development is

the digital medical imaging system based on a charge coupled device (CCD).

BARC has successfully developed radiation-processed hydrogel for treating burns,

wounds and leprosy; holmium-166-hydroxy apatite (hoha) and samarium-153-

hydroxy apatite (smha) radiopharmaceuticals for treatment of arthritis and

radiolabelling of phosphonates with luthinium-177 for intemalised radiotherapy.

For detection of the T.B infection, BARC developed a sero-diagnostic test-kit with x-

ray imaging using a three dimensional cone- beam tonography which is another

important development.

BARC’s radiation medicine center (RMC) in Mumbai is involved in research and

development in nuclear medicine and allied science.

BRIT process and formulates radioisotopes produced in the research reactors Dhruva

and Apsara at trombay and also in the power reactors of NPCIL.

Another technique known as immuno-radiometric assay (IRMA) is also used for such

estimations.

BRIT’s biomolecules producing laboratory jonaki at Hyderabad supplies over a dozen

labeled nucleotides and molecular biology kits to user institutions across the country

on a regular basis.

BRIT’s produces and supplies sealed radiation sources of cobalt-60 and iridium-192

to a number of radiotherapy centers in the country, for cancer treatment.

(H) Industrial Applications of Radioisotopes

The studies conducted by BARC have immensely contributed to the detection and

recharge conditions of ground water bodies.

Major activ ities relating to hydrology cover evolution of recharge measures at coastal

fresh groundwater system, detection of fluoride contamination of deep ground waters,

seepage problems of a few dams.

The studies conducted by BARC on sediment transport almost all the major ports

have resulted in increasing the intervals between desilting campaigns, which saved

huge cost of desilting operations.

BARC expertise in gamma scanning is being used by the major petrochemical

industries for trouble shooting in process equipment, detecting leaks in buried

pipelines, industrial process control etc.

BARC radio tracing expertise is being used by the industrial units in many drivers

ways, gamma scanning is an indispensable non-destructive technique for solving

online problems in industrial process columns.

Automated gamma scanning system is developed for on line inspection trouble

shooting and process optimization of industrial process plant, petrochemical oil,

heavy water plants etc.

A large number of radiography cameras and gamma chambers manufactured by

BRIT are already in the use of Indian industry. Blood irradiator developed at the

regional centers of BRIT in Bangalore and Delhi.

(I) Beam Technologies

Laser systems and electron beam accelerators are the areas where India is one of

the front runners. The DAE’s research organizations viz. raja ramanna centre for

advanced technology (RRCAT) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Bhabha atomic

research centre (BARC) in Mumbai, are engaged in the development of applications

in the areas of laser system, electron beam process and devices ,and plasma

devices.

In collaboration with Sriram Institute of Chemical Research, New Delhi, ARC

developed a special formulation of PVC based material which on radiation cross-

linking, leads to a product that can withstand temperature up to 105 deg. Celsius.

(40-B): India’s Defence

Chapter in detail:

The Supreme command of the Armed forces vests in the President of India. The responsibility

for national defence, however, rests with the Cabinet. The Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri)

is responsible to Parliament. for all matters concerning defence of the country. Administrative

and operational control of the armed forces is exercised by the Ministry of Defence and the

three Service Headquarters.

Army

The Army is organized into the following seven command:

S.No. Command Headquarters

1 Western Command Chandirnandji

2. Eastern Command  Kolkata

3. Northern Command Udhampur

4. Southern Command Pune

5. Central Command Lucknow

6. Training Command Mhow

7. South-Western Command Jaipur (newly established in 2005)

Organisation

Tie principal task of the Ministry is to frame policy directions on Defence and security

related matters and communicate them for implementation to the Services

Headquarters, Inter- Service Organi-sations, Production Establish-ments and

Research & Development Organisations.

The principal functions of the Departments are as follows:

After Independence, Ministry of Defence was created under the charge of a Cabinet

Minister and each service was placed under its own Commander-in -chief, (tn 1955,

the Commanders- in-chief were renamed as the Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of

the Nval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff, in November, 1962 a Department of Defence

Supplies was created for planning and execution of schemes for import substitution of

defence requirements! In 2004, the name of the Department of Defence Production

and Supplies was changed to Department of Defence Production. In 1980, the

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare was-created

(i) The Department of Defence deals with the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and

three Services and various Inter-Service Organisations. It is also responsible for the

Defence Budget, establishment matters, Defence policy, matters relating to

Parliament.

(ii) The Department of Defence Production deals with matters pertaining to defence

production, indigenisation of imported stores, equipment and spares, planning and

control of departmental production units of the Ordnance Factory Board.

(iii) The Department of Defence Research and Development is headed by a

Secretary, who is the Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri. Its function is on advise

the Government on scientific aspects of military equipment and logistics and the

formulation of research, design and development plans for equipment required by the

Services.

(iv) The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, deals with all resettlement, welfare

and pensionary matters of Ex-Servicemen.

 

Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) was created on October 1,2001. Since then, HQ IDS

has been-acting as the single point organisation inculcating judments and synergy

between the Armed Forces, by way of integrating policy, doctrine, war fighting and

procurement.

The three Services Headquarters, viz., the Army Headquarters, the Naval

Headquarters and the Air Headquarters function under the Chief of the Army Staff

(COAS), the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)

respectively. The Inter-Service Organisations, under the Department of Defence are

responsible for carrying out tasks related to common needs of the three Services

such as medical care, public relations and personnel management of civilian staff in

the Defence Headquarters.

Army Training Institutions

S.No. Name  Located at

1. National Defence Academy  Khadkvasla

2. Indian Minitary Academy Dehradun

3. Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehradun

4. National Defence College  New Delhi

5. Defence Services Staff College Willington

6. Armed Forces Medical College Pune

7. Officer’s Training School Chennai

8. College of Combat Mhow

9. Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar

10. Infantry Schools Mhow & Belgaum

11. School of Artillery Deolali

12. College of Military Engineering Kirke

13. College of Defence Management  Secunderabad

14. Army Cadet College Dehradun

15. Army Ordinance Corps School Jabalpur

16. High Altitude Warefare School Gulmarg

17. Remound and Veterinary Corps Centre School Meerut

18. Army Education Corps Training College and Centre Pachmarhi

19. Army School of Physical Training Pune

20. Military Intelligence Training School and Depot Pune

21. Corps of Military Police Centre and School Bengaluru

22. Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School Vairengte

23. Institute of National Integration Pune

Army

It is organized into operational commands, each under a General Officer of the rank

of Lieutenant General.

The field formations in army are Corps, Division, and Brigade commanded by a

General Commanding Officer and his rank is as follows:

1. Corps - Lieutenant General.

2. Division - Major General

3. Brigade - Brigadier

Towards the modernization of the Mechanised Infantry, contracts for procurement of

Environmental Control System and Instant Fire Detection and Suppression System

tbr BMP-2/2K, Battle Field Surveillance Radar (Medium Range on TATRA8x8 and

Thermal Imaging Sight to replace Mia Infra Red have been included during the year.

A proposal for procurement of Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missle System for two

regiments of the Indian Army has been approved. The contract has been concluded

in March 2010.

Territorial Army

The Territorial Army was established in 1948.

The Territorial Army is a voluntary, part-time citizen’s Army.

In recent times, a maximum of 22 units were embodied in Operational Rakshak,

Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram.

Navy

The Navy is organized into the following three command

S.No. Command Headquarters

1. Western Naval Command Mumbai

2. Eastern Naval Command Vishakhapatnam

3. Southern Naval Command Cochin

Navy Training Institutions

S.No. Name Located at

1. Naval Academy  Goa

2. INS Chilka Orissa

3. INS Shivaji Lonavala

4. INS Asvini (INM) Mumbai

5. College of Naval Welfare Mumbai

6. INS Garuda Cochin

7. INS Hansa Goa

8. INS Dronacharya Cochin

9. INS Zamorin Ezhimala (Kerala)

 Around 97 per cent of India’s trade amounting to 273 million tonnes and valued at

$83 billion annually comes from the seas.

The entire import of more than 50 million tonnes of oil and gas comes by the sea. The

air squadrons INAS311 and IN AS 350 were commissioned on 24th March, 2009.

Indian Naval Air Station Parundu was commissioned on26th March, 2009 a Uchipull

in Ramnad District Tamil Nadu. INS Airavat, The fifth LST (L) Class Ship was

Commissioned on 19th May, 2009 at Visakhapatnam.’INS Chetlat and Car Nicobar

were commissioned on 16th February, 2009. ENS Cheriyarn and Cora Divh were

Commissioned on 10th September, 2009. INS Shivalik was commissioned on 29th

April, 2010

INS Shardul, landing ship tank (large), was commissioned at Naval base, Karwar on

January 4, 2007. INS Jalashwa acquired from US was commissioned at Norfolk

(USA) on June. 22, 20O7. The ship is the first Landing, Platform Dock (LDP) in the

Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy (IN), by virtue of its capability, strategic positioning and robust

presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), has been a catalyst for peace, tranquility

and stability in the IOR.

The firing of Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Derby Missile has been conducted

successfully. Six UH3H Utility helicopters have been inducted in the service.

In continuation with the policy of enhancing co-operation with foreign navies, a series

of exercises were conducted. This included Indra 01/09, Konkan O9, Malabar 10,

Varuna 10 and SIMBEK 10.

Intensive Flying Training Unit (IFTU) for UH3H helicopters has been set up. The unit

was commissioned as Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 350 on March 23, 2009.

Indigenously built INS Kesari was commissioned into the Indian Navy in April 2008.

Two Water Jet-Fast Attack Crafts Chetlat and Car Nicobar were commissioned into

the Indian Navy in February 2009.

Coastguard

The Coast Guard was established as an independent service on August 19, I978as

per the Coast Guard Act, 1978. Since its inception, the Coast Guard has acquired-a

wide range of platforms both surface and airborne to undertake the assigned tasks

during peace time and to supplement the efforts of Indian Navy during war.

The command and control of the Coast Guard - rests with the Director General of

Indian Coast Guard at New Delhi. The Organisation has four Regional Headquarters

i.e. Mumbai, Chennai, Gandhinagar and Port Blair.

The Coast Guard is mandated to keep India’s EEZ measuring over 2.02 million Sq

Km.

(a) Safety and protection of artificial islands and offshore terminals, installations and

devices in Maritime Zones.

(b) Protection and “assistance to fishermen at sea while in distress.

(c) Preservation and protection of marine environment.

(d) Prevention and control of marine pollution.

(e) Other matters, including measures for the safety of life and property at sea and

collection of scientific data.

In addition to the mandate laid down under section 14 of Coast Guard Act, 1975, the

Indian Coast Guard has also been entrusted the following lead roles:-

(a) Offshore Security Co-ordination Committee.

(b) National Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordinating Authority.

(c) Lead Intelligence Agency for Coastal and Sea Border.

(d) Coastal Security in territorial waters.

 

11 Coast Guard District Headquarters located along the coastal States of India

Air Force

The Air Force is organized into the following five (operation and two (functional)

command;

S.No. Command Headquarters

1. Western Air Command Delhi

2. South-Western Air Command Gandhi Nagar

3. Central Air Command Allahabad

4. Eastern Air Command Shillong

5. Southern Air Command Thiruvananthapuram

II. Functional Commands

1. Training Command Bengaluru

2. Maintenance Command Nagpur

Air Force Training Institutions

S.No. Name Located at

1. Air Force Administrative College Coimbatore

2. Air Force Academy Hyderabad

3. Air Force Technical College Jalahalli

4. Air Force School Sambra (Belgaum)

5. Flying Instructors’ School Tambaram

6. Ground Training School Avadi

7. Navigation and Signals School Hyderabad

College of Air Welfare Secunderbad

It was formed on October 8, 1932.

The Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters in New Delhi is assisted by the Vice-Chief

of Air Staff. The Vice Chief of Air Staff is responsible for operations whereas the

Deputy Chief of Air Staff is responsible for acquisition and planning. The Inspector

General looks after the operational readiness, flight safety and inspection.

The IAF has inducted state-of-the-art Su-3OMKI aircraft in operational squadrons.

Twenty Hawk AJT aircraft have also been inducted’ procurement contract of C-130-

30 aircraft for special operations from US Government has been signed.

A contract has been signed with M/s Rosonboron Export Russia for delivery of Mi-

17V5 helicopters.

Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) are being procured to significantly

enhance the effectiveness of both Offensive and Defensive operations of the IAF.

Contract for MiG-29 mid life upgrade and extension of total technical life was signed

with RAC MIG, Russia. IAF is also processing upgradation of the Mirage-2000 and

Jaguar aircrafts and Mi- 17 helicopters in order to optimise their utilization. To keep

the DO-228 aircraft abreast with the latest technology, all the existing aircrafts are

being upgraded with the latest avionics.

The upgrade of DARIN-I Jaguar aircraft to DARIN-III standard has been approved

and is planned to be completed by 2017-2018.

Commissioned Ranks

The following are the commissioned ranks in the three Services; each rank is

shown opposite its equivalent in the other Service:

Army Navy Air Force

General Admiral Marshal Air Chief

Lieutenant General Vice-Admiral Air Marshal

Major General Rear Admiral Air Vice-Marshal

Brigadier Commodore Air Commodore

Colonel Captain Group Captain

Lieutenant Colonel Commander Wing Commander

Major Lieutenant Commander Squadron Leader

Captain Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant

Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant Flying Officer

Recruitment

8 Recruitment of Commissioned Officers in Armed Forces through UPSC: Commissioned

Officers in the Armed Forces are recruited mainly through the UPSC which conducts the

following two All India Competitive Examinations: -(a) National Defence Academy (NDA) and

Naval Academy (NA) and (b) Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE).

Defence Production Units

S.No. Name & Established in Factories at

1. Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) 1964

Ltd.

Bengaluru (Five factories), oraput, Nasilc, Karwa,

Kanpur, Lucknow,

arrackpore, Hyderabad.

2. Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) 1952,

Navratna Status

Bengaluru, haziabad, Pune,  Machilipatnarn, in

2007 Taloja Maharashtra,

Panchkula (Haryana), Kotdwara (U.P.),

Hyderabad, Chennai

3. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd.(BEML)

1965 Bengaluru, Mysore, Kolar

4. Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) 1970  Hyderabad

5. Mazagaon Docks Ltd. (MDL) 1960 Mumbai

6.

Garden Reach Ship- builders and

Engineers  Ltd.

 (GRSE) 1934  (Govt. acquired in

1960)

 Kolkata 

7. Goa Shipyards Ltd. (GSL) 1967  Goa

8. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. (MIDHANI)

1973Hyderabad

9. Heavy Vehicles Factory Avadi

National Cadet Corps

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) was established under the (NNC) Act, 1948. It has

completed 61 years of existence. The NCC strives to provide the youth of the country

opportunities for all round development with a sense of commitment, dedication, self-

discipline me and moral values, so that they become useful citizens of tomorrow.

Director General, NCC located at New Delhi controls and overseas various activities

of the NCC through 16 NCC Directorates spread across the country

Training for Defence Services

Sainik Schools: Sainik Schools were established as a joint venture of the Central

and State Governments. These are under the overall governance of Sainik Schools

Society.

 

Rashtriya Military Schools: The Five Rashtriya Military Schools (earlier known as

Military Schools) affiliated to CBSE are functioning at Ajmer, Bangalore, Belgaum,

Dholpur and Chail.

 

National Defence Academy (NDA): The National Defence Academy (INDIA) is the

country ‘s premier inter-service training institution. The three years course at the NDA

is covered in six semesters.

 

Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC): The Rashtriya Indian Military College

(RIMC) was founded on March 3, 1922, with the objective of providing the necessary

preliminary training for boys of Indian birth or domicile, wishing to become officers in

the Armed Forces of India.

Warships

1. INS Savitri : First warship fabricated at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited; joined the

Navy in 1990.

 

2. INS Ghariyal : It is indigeneously built warship. It was commissioned into the Navy in

1997 at the Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Ltd. Kolkata.

 

3. INS Mysore : It is the second of the most powerful class of warships built

indigenously by Mazagaon Docks Limited. It was commissioned in 1999.

 

4. INS Brahmaputra : It has 16 Russian made Uran surface-to-surface missiles and its

helicopters carry two long-range Sea Eagle air-to-surface missiles. It was

commissioned in 2000.

 

5. INS Tillanchang : It ws commissioned in March 2001 at Vishakhapatnam. This is the

second indigenous warship in the Trinkat class fast attack craft series.

 

6. INS Talwar : It was built by Russia for the Indian Navy. It was commissioned in St.

Petersburg in 2003. It boasts of weapons and sensors with a far greater range than

what the Indian Navy has at present. Its main attack weapon is the vertical-launch

club-N missile system.

 

7. INS Satpura : It is the second indigenously built stealth warship; second of the P-17

frigate series. It was launched at the Mazagon Docks (Mumbai) in June 2004. It has

advanced surface-to-air missiles and hi-tech radar and communication equipment on

board.

Missile Boats

1. INS Vibhuti : First indigeneously built missile boat, launched at the Mazagaon Docks,

Mumbai in 1991.

 

2. INS Nashak : Country’s third missile boat. Built at the Mazagaon Docks; it was

launched in 1993.

 

3. INS Prahar : It is the indigenously built fastest missile boat in the world. It was

inducted into Navy in 1997. It packs a powerful punch in the form of Ship-to-Surface

KT 138 Missile.

 

4. INS Prabhat : It is built by Mazagaon Dock Limited to belongs to Nashak class of

boats. Its weapon package includes surface-to-surface missiles with associated

surveillance system.

Indian Military Academy (IMA): Founded in 1932, Indian Military Academy,

Dehradun aims at the fullest development of intellectual, moral and physical qualities

of persons joining the Army as officers.

 

Officer Training Academy (OTA): The Academy trains cadets for Short Service

Commission. With the entry of women officers in the Army since September 21, 1992.

 

College of Military Engineering (CME): The College of Military Engineering at Pune

is a premier technical for personnel of the Corps of Engineers, other Arms and

Services, Navy, Air Force, Para Military Forces, Police and Civilians.

 

National Defence College: The National Defence College (NDC) has established a

name for itself as a centre of excellence on mattes pertaining to national security and

strategic studies.

 

College of Defence Management: The College of Defence Management (CDM) is a

Tri-Service category “A” training establishment in existence for over three decades

now. It is entrusted with the responsibility of instilling contemporary management

thoughts, concepts and practices in the senior leadership of the Armed Forces.

 

Defence Services Staff College (DSSC): The Defence Services Staff College

(DSSC) is one of the oldest military institutions in India.

Defence Production

The Department of Defence Production deals with the indigenization, develop-ment

and production of defence equipment both in the public and private sectors.

Ordnance Factories

The Ordnance Factories Organisation is the largest and oldest departmentally run

production organisation in the country. It is primarily engaged in the manufacture of

Defence hardware for the Armed forces.

There are 39 ordnance factories that- manufacture a wide variety of arms,

ammunition, battle tanks, armoured vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, military electronic

products and other defence equipment for the armed forces two new 1actories, one

for artillery communication and other for carbines are under construction. Ordnance

factories are managed by the Ordnance Factory Board which has its headquarters in

Kolkata

The first ordinance factory was established in 1801 at Cossipore near Kolkata.

Defence Undertakings

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s core business activities comprise of

design, development and production of fixed wing aircraft (Fighters, Trainers and

Transport) and Helicopters, their avionics and accessories and life cycle customer

support through Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of aerospace and

products.

Missile Boats

1. INS Vibhuti : First indigeneously built missile boat, launched at the Mazagaon

Docks, Mumbai in 1991.

2. INS Nashak : Country’s third missile boat. Built at the Mazagaon Docks; it was

launched in 1993.

3. INS Prahar : It is the indigenously built fastest missile boat in the world. It was

inducted into Navy in 1997. It packs a powerful punch in the form of Ship-to-Surface

KT 138 Missile.

4. INS Prabhat : It is built by Mazagaon Dock Limited to belongs to Nashak class of

boats. Its weapon package includes surface-to-surface missiles with associated

surveillance system.

 

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has been accorded “NAVRATNA’ status

company in 2007. BEL was established at Begalore by the Government in the year

1954 to meet the needs of the Indian Defence Services. The Company has

developed core competencies in areas of (i) Radars, (ii) Sonars (iii) Communi-cation

(iv) Electronic Warfare System (v) Electro Optics, and (vi) Tank Electronics. About 85

per cent of the turnover of the company comes from these business segments.

 

Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML Ltd.) is engaged in the design, manufacturing,

marketing and after sales support of a wide range of Mining & Construction

equipment, Defence products and Railway & Metro products. BEML was established

in 1965 and commenced operations from January 1965.

 

Mazagair Dock Limited (MDL) is a Premier Ship Builder of the Nation. MDL is

engaged in construction of warships including Destroyers, Corvettes, Submarines,

New Generation Stealth Frigates, Offshore Patrol Vessels; construction of various

types of merchant ships and repairs/ modernization of warships, submarines and

merchant ships.

 

Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) is one of the leading shipyards, building medium- sized

sophisticated vessels for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and others. It commenced

functioning with its own Board of Directors since September 29, 1967. Government of

India has conferred the status of Mini Ratna, Category-I in March 2007. Goa Shipyard

Limited is an ISO- 9001 certified company.

 

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has kept pace with

the expanding maritime interests of India. The Company has been granted the

Category-i Mini Ratna status. The main business activity of GRSE is shipbuilding and

ship repair for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

 

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) was established in 1970 for manufacture of Guided

Missiles. It is one of the few strategic industries in the world that possesses the

capability to produce state-of-the-art missiles. BDL is engaged in the production of

Konkurs-M and Invar (3UBK-20) Anti Guided Missiles in collaboration with Russian

developed CMDS (Counter Measures Dispensing System) has been accepted by the

Indian Air Force. BDL is working in close association with DRDO for technology

absorption/assimilation and extending support by providing missile subsystems

integration of missiles for conducting trials of missiles like Akash, Nag, Article K-15

and Agni Variants (Al, A2 and A3). Advanced Light Weight Tropedo (TAL); Heavy

Weight Rorpedo (Varunastra) anI Light Weight Mines in Concurrent Engineering

mode in association with NSTL, Visakhapatanam.

 

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) was incorporated as a Public Sector

Undertaking under the Administrative Control of Department of Defence Production &

Supplies, Ministry of Defence in 1973.

Defence Research and Development Organisation

DRDO, came into existence in 1958 with the amalgamation of Technical

‘Development Establishment (TDES) of Indian Army and Directorate of Technical

Development & Production (DTD&P) with Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

DRDO is headed by the Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, who is also the

Secretary,

Department of Defence R&D and Director General R&D. Dr. DS Kothari, the eminent

scientist and educationist was the first to head the organisation. The corporate

headquarter of DRDO-is at DRDO Bhawan, an environment friendly building located

at Rajaji Marg, New Delhi.

“Balasya mulam vi am” i.e. “The source of strength is Science” is the tag line of

DRDO. It is Science that drives the nation in war and peace. The Organisation has

two tier structure, viz, the Corporate Hqrs at New Delhi; and laboratories

establishments, regional centres, field stations, etc. across the length and breadth of

the country. DRDO Hqrs, under the Department of Defence Research and

Development, is organized into two sets of Directorates i.e. the Corporate

Directorates and the Technical Directorates. The laboratories, based on their core-

competence, are classified into to nine clusters namely, Aeronautics, Armaments,

Combat Vehicles and Engineering, Electronics and Computer Sciences, Materials,

Missiles and Strategic Systems, Micro Electronics and Devices, Naval Research and

Development, and Life Sciences.

Resettlement of Ex-Servicemen

The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (ESW) formulates various policies and

programmes for the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen (ESM) in the country.

Entrepreneur Schemes

The schemes in operation at present are SEMFEX-II and SEMFEX-III comprising

ventures in rural areas in agriculture, industry and service sectors. The lending

institutions are Nationalised Banks, Cooperative Banks, Regional/Rural Banks etc.

Subsidy of 25%-30% is available for these schemes. Application ‘for loan is submitted

by ex-servicemen directly to the Bank through concerned Zila Sainik Boards.

 

SEMFEX-II Scheme : The Scheme was started in 1988 with the assistance of

National Bank for Agriculture and (NABARD) for funding the entrepreneurship in

agriculture, industry and service sectors in rural areas. Subsidy upto 25% of project

cost is provided.

 

SE1PEX-III : The scheme was started in 1992 with the assistance of Khadi and

Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for setting up of textile, village, cottage, tiny

and small scale industries in rural areas. Loan up to Rs. 25 lakhs and subsidy upto

30% is provided under the scheme.

41-A): India’s Space Programme

Introduction

The setting up of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in 1963 marked

the beginning of the Indian space program.

The Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS) were established by the

Government of India in 1972 to promote unified development and application of

space science and technology for national objectives.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was set up as the research and

development wing of DOS and is responsible for the execution of India’s national

space program.

In the early years, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a scientist and a visionary who laid the

foundations of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),

Accordingly, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully

operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT)

for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) is used satellites for

management of natural resources Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is used for

launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

for launching INSAT type of satellites.

The Space Commission formulates the policies and oversees the implementation of the

Indian space programme to promote the development and application of space science and

technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country. DOS implements these programmes

through, mainly Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Physical Research Laboratory

(PRL), National Atmospheric Research. Laboratory (NARL), North Eastern-Space

Applications Centre (NE-SAC) and Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL). The Antrix

Corporation,commercial wing of (ISRO) was established in 1992 as a government owned

company, markets the space products and services.

Current Program Indian National Satellite (INSAT) System

The INSAT series, commissioned in 1983, has today become one of the largest domestic

satellites systems in the Asia, pacific region comprising Eleven satellites in service 

1. INSAT-2E Launched on Apr 03,1999

2. INSAT-3B Launched on Mar 22,2000

3. INSAT-3C Launched on Jan 24,2002

4. INSAT-3A Launched on Apr 10,2003

5. INSAT-3E Launched on Sep 28,2003

6. INSAT-4A Launched on Dec 22,2005

7. INSAT-4B Launched on Mar 12,2007

8. INSAT-4CR Launched on Sep 02,2007

9. KALPANA-1 Launched on Sep 12,2002

10. GSAT-2 Launched on May 08,2003

11. EDUSAT Launched on Sept 20,2004

Indian Remote Sensing Satellites System (IRS)

The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite system is one of the largest constellations of

remote sensing satellites in operation in the world today. The IRS programme commissioned

with launch of IRS-1A in 1988 and presently includes Nine satellites that continue to provide

imageries in variety of spatial resolutions from better than a metre ranging upto 500 metres.

1. RESOURCESAT-1 Launched on Oct 17, 2003 by PSLV-C5

2. CARTOSAT-1 Launched on May 05, 2005 by PSLV-C6

3. CARTOSAT - 2 Launched on Jan 10, 2007 by PSLV-C7

4. CARTOSAT-2A Launched on Apr 28, 2008 by PSLV-C9

5. IMS-1 Launched on Apr 28, 2008 by PSLV-C9

6. RISAT-2 Launched on Apr 20, 2009 by PSLV-C12

7. OCEANSAT-2 Launched on Sept 23, 2009 by PSLV-C14

8. CARTOSAT-2B Launched on July 12, 2010 by PSLV-C15

Launch Vehicles

Today, Indian space programme has become self-reliant with the operationalisation of two

satellite launch vehicles, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), mainly for launching IRS

class of satellites in polar orbits and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for

launching communication satellites into geo-synchronous transfer orbit. GSLV can carry 2-

2.5 tonne satellite in to 36,000 Kilometer range for geo stationery transfer orbit and India is

only the sixth country in the world to have this capability. So far ;

PSLV has sixteen consecutively successful flights out of seventeen launches

GSLV has four successful flights of six launches

Future Program

GSLV-Mark III

GSLV-Mark III is envisaged to launch 4 tonne satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

GSLV-Mark III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110 tonne core liquid propellant stage (L-110)

and a strap-on stage with two solid propellant motors, each with 200 tonne propellant (S-200).

The upper stage will be cryogenic with a propellant loading of 25 tonne (C-25). GSLV Mark-III

will have a lift-off weight of about 629 tonne and will be 42.4 m tall. The payload fairing will

have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload volume of 100 cubic metre. GSLV Mark III is

planned to be launched during 2011-12

Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)

As a first step towards realizing a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO)

fully re-usable launch vehicle, a series of technology demonstration missions have been

conceived. For this purpose a Winged Reusable Launch Vehicle technology Demonstrator

(RLV-TD) has been configured. The RLV-TD will act as a flying test bed to evaluate various

technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic

flight using air breathing propulsion.

Human Space Flight Mission Programme

Proposal for a management plan for Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) was prepared and

pre-project activities were approved. The program envisages development of a fully

autonomous orbital vehicle carrying two or three crew members to about 300 km low earth

orbit and their safe return. It is planned to realise the programme in 2015-16 time frame.

Space Science Missions

Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-II)

The main objective of SRE II is to realize a fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to

conduct microgravity experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy, etc. SRE-

2 is proposed to be launched onboard PSLV-C19 in of 2010 - 11.

Chandrayaan-2

Chandrayaan-2 mission is planned to have an orbiter/lander/rover configuration. The mission

is expected to be realised by 2012 - 13. The science goals of the mission is to further improve

our understanding of origin and evolution of the Moon using instruments onboard Orbiter and

in-situ analysis of lunar samples and studies of lunar regolith properties (remote & direct

analysis) using Robots/Rovers

Aditya-1

The First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to study solar Corona in visible and near IR

bands. Launch of the Aditya mission is planned during the next high solar activity period ~

2012. The main objectives is to study the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and consequently the

crucial physical parameters for space weather such as the coronal magnetic field structures,

evolution of the coronal magnetic field etc.

This will provide completely new information on the velocity fields and their variability in the

inner corona having an important bearing on the unsolved problem of heating of the corona

would be obtained.

YOUTHSAT

YOUTHSAT is a participatory scientific mission with payloads from both Russia and India. It

would be carrying three scientific payloads one from Russia and two from India. It is a micro

satellite carrying scientific payloads with participation from universities at graduate,

postgraduate and research scholar level and would participate from testing of the payloads in

laboratory to the utilisation of the data from payloads. Participation of young scientists will

inculcate interest in space related activities and provide opportunities for realisation of future

scientific payloads at the university level. YOUTHSAT is scheduled to be launched as

auxiliary satellite along with Indian remote sensing satellite during 2010 with an orbital altitude

of 630 km at an inclination of 97.9º.

Satellite Navigation

GAGAN

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement an indigenous Satellite-Based

Regional GPS Augmentation System also known as Space-Based Augmentation System

(SBAS) as part of the Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance

(CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has

been given an acronym GAGAN - GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan

for satellite navigation including implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS)

over the Indian air space as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority

of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight

Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master Control

Center (MCC) located near Bangalore. The first GAGAN navigation payload has been

fabricated and it was proposed to be flown on GSAT-4 during Apr 2010. However, GSAT-4

was not placed in orbit as GSLV-D3 could not complete the mission. Two more GAGAN

payloads will be subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites, GSAT-8 and

GSAT-10.

Landmark Achievements in ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Development

PSLV has 16 consecutively successful flights out of 17 launches

PSLV used for launching a total of 25 satellites for foreign customers under

commercial agreements, demonstrating its multi-satellite launch capability

PSLV used to launch Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1), Chandrayaan-1

and ISRO’s exclusive meteorological satellite, KALPANA-1, proving its versatility

GSLV with four successful flights of six launches can launch 2 to 2.5 tonne satellite

into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)

Successful testing of indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage on November

15, 2007.

ISRO’s Launch Fleet at a Glance

ISRO developed two experimental satellite launch vehicles, SLV-3 and ASLV

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle(PSLV) commissioned in 1997

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk I) commissioned after second

successful flight in May 2003

GSLV - MK II will

use indigenously developed cryogenic Upper Stage

GSLV - MK III is under development

PSLV

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,usually known by its abbreviation PSLV is the first

operational launch vehicle of ISRO. PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620

km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit. In the

standard configuration, it measures 44.4 m tall, with a lift off weight of 295 tonnes. PSLV has

four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the

largest solid propellant boosters in the world and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A cluster of

six strap-ons attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two

are air-lit.

The reliability rate of PSLV has been superb. There had been 16 continuously successful

flights of PSLV, till July 2010. With its variant configurations, PSLV has proved its multi-

payload, multi-mission capability in a single launch and its geosynchronous launch capability.

In the recent Chandrayaan-mission, another variant of PSLV with an extended version of

strap-on motors, PSOM-XL, the payload haul was enhanced to 1750 kg in 620 km SSPO.

PSLV has rightfully earned the status of workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO.

Typical Parameters of PSLV

Lift-off weight 295 tonne 

Pay Load 1600 kg in to 620 km Polar Orbit,1060 kg in to Geosynchronous Transfer

Orbit (GTO) 

Height 44 metre

PSLV Milestones

PSLV-C15 launched CARTOSAT-2B, ALSAT-2A, NLS 6.1 & 6.2 and STUDSAT on

July 12, 2010 (Successful)

PSLV-C14 launched Oceansat - 2 and Six Nanosatellites on September 23, 2009

(Successful)

PSLV-C12 launched RISAT-2 and ANUSAT on April 20, 2009 (Successfully)PSLV-

C11 launched CHANDRAYAAN-I, on October 22, 2008 (Successful)

PSLV-C9 launched CARTOSAT-2A, IMS-1 and Eight nano-satellites on April 28,

2008 (Successful)

PSLV-C10 launched TECSAR on January 23, 2008 (Successful)

PSLV-C8 launched AGILE on April 23, 2007 (Successful)

PSLV-C7 launched CARTOSAT-2, SRE-1, LAPAN-TUBSAT and PEHUENSAT-1 on

January 10, 2007 (Successful)

PSLV-C6 launched CARTOSAT-1 and HAMSAT on May 5, 2005 (Successful)

PSLV-C5 launched RESOURCESAT-1(IRS-P6) on October 17, 2003 (Successful)

PSLV-C4 launched KALPANA-1(METSAT) on September 12, 2002 (Successful)

PSLV-C3 launched TES on October 22, 2001 (Successful)

PSLV-C2 launched OCEANSAT(IRS-P4), KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT on May 26,

1999 (Successful)

PSLV-C1 launched IRS-1D on September 29, 1997 (Successful)

PSLV-D3 launched IRS-P3 on March 21, 1996 (Successful)

PSLV-D2 launched IRS-P2 on October 15, 1994 (Successful)

PSLV-D1 launched IRS-1E on September 20, 1993 (Unsuccessful)

GSLV)-Mark I&II

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV)-Mark I&II ,is capable of placing INSAT–II

class of satellites (2000 – 2,500 kg) into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).  GSLV is a

three stage vehicle GSLV is 49 m tall, with 414 t lift off weight. It has a maximum diameter of

3.4 m at the payload fairing. First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40)

strap-ons.  Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) is a cryo stage.

The vehicle develops a lift off thrust  of 6573 kn.  The first flight of GSLV took place from

SHAR on April 18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1. It was followed by four more launches

, GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003 (GSAT-2  1825 kg), GSLV-F01 on September 20, 2004 (EDUSAT

1950 kg), GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006, GSLV-F04 on September 2, 2007 (INSAT-4CR   2130

kg) and GSLV-D3 on April 15, 2010.

Typical Parameters of GSLV

Lift-off weight 414 tonne 

Pay Load 2 to 2.5 Tonne in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) 

Height 49 metre

GSLV Milestones

GSLV-D3 launched GSAT-4 on April 15, 2010 (Unsuccessful)

GSLV-F04 launched INSAT-4CR on September 2, 2007 (Successful)

GSLV-F02 launched INSAT-4C on July 10, 2006 (Unsuccessful)

GSLV-F01 launched EDUSAT(GSAT-3) on September 20, 2004 (Successful)

GSLV-D2 launched GSAT-2 on May 8, 2003 (Successful)

GSLV-D1 launched GSAT-1 on April 18, 2001 (Successful)

The GSLV-III

The GSLV-III or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III , is a launch vehicle

currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organization. GSLV Mk III is

conceived and designed to make ISRO fully self reliant in launching heavier communication

satellites of INSAT-4 class, which weigh 4500 to 5000  kg. It would also enhance the

capability of the country to be a competitive player in the multimillion dollar commercial launch

market. The vehicle envisages multi-mission launch capability  for GTO, LEO, Polar and

intermediate circular orbits.

GSLV-Mk III is designed to be a three stage vehicle, with 42.4 m tall with a lift off weight of

630 tonnes. First stage comprises two identical S200 Large Solid Booster (LSB) with 200

tonne solid propellant, that are strapped on to the second stage, the L110 re-startable liquid

stage. The third stage is the C25 LOX/LH2 cryo stage. The large payload fairing measures 5

m in diameter and can accommodate a payload volume of 100 cu m. The development work

on Mk III is progressing as per schedule for a launch in 2012.

Typical Parameters of GSLV Mark III Lift-off weight 630 Tonne

Pay Load 4 Tonne in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) 

Height 49 metre

Satellite

S.No Satellite Launch Date Launch Vehicle Type of Satellite

1. STUDSAT 12.07.2010 PSLV-C15 Experimental/Small Satellite

2. CARTOSAT-2B  12.07.2010 PSLV-C15 Earth Observation Satellite

3. GSAT-4 15.04. 2010 GSLV-D3 Geo-Stationary Satellite

4. Oceansat-2 23.09.2009 PSLV-C14 Earth Observation Satellite

5. ANUSAT 20.04.2009 PSLV-C12 Experimental/Small Satellite

6. RISAT-2 20.04.2009 PSLV-C12 Earth Observation Satellite

7. Chandrayaan-1 22.10.2008 PSLV-C11 Space Mission

8. CARTOSAT - 2A 28.04.2008 PSLV-C9 Earth Observation Satellite

 

9. IMS-1 28.04.2008 PSLV-C9 Earth Observation Satellite

10. INSAT-4B 12.03.2007 Ariane-5ECA Geo-Stationary Satellite

11. CARTOSAT - 2 10.01.2007 PSLV-C7 Earth Observation Satellite

12. SRE - 1 10.01.2007  PSLV-C7 Experimental/Small Satellite

13. INSAT-4CR 02.09.2007 GSLV-F04 Geo-Stationary Satellite

14. INSAT-4C 10.07.2006 GSLV-F02 Geo-Stationary Satellite

15. INSAT-4A 22.12.2005 Ariane-5GS Geo-Stationary Satellite

16. HAMSAT 05.05.2005 PSLV-C6 Experimental/Small Satellite

17. CARTOSAT-1 05.05.2005 PSLV-C6 Earth Observation Satellite

18. EDUSAT (GSAT-3) 20.09.2004 GSLV-F01 Geo-Stationary Satellite

19. Resourcesat-1(IRS-

P6) 17.10.2003 PSLV-C5 Earth Observation Satellite

20. INSAT-3A 10.04.2003 Ariane-5G Geo-Stationary Satellite

21. INSAT-3E 28.09.2003 Ariane-5G Geo-Stationary Satellite

22. GSAT-2 08.05.2003 GSLV-D2 Geo-Stationary Satellite

23. KALPANA-

1(METSAT) 12.09.2002 PSLV-C4 Geo-Stationary Satellite

24. INSAT-3C 24.01.2002 Ariane-42L H10-

3 Geo-Stationary Satellite

25. Technology

Experiment 22.10.2001 PSLV-C3 Earth Observation Satellite

26. Satellite (TES)      

27. GSAT-1 18.04.2001  GSLV-D1 Geo-Stationary Satellite

28. INSAT-3B 22.03.2000 Ariane-5G Geo-Stationary Satellite

29. Oceansat(IRS-P4) 26.05.1999 PSLV-C2 Earth Observation Satellite

30. INSAT-2E 03.04.1999 Ariane-42P

H10-3 Geo-Stationary Satellite

31. INSAT-2DT January 1998 Ariane-44L H10 Geo-Stationary Satellite I

32. RS-1D 29.09.1997 PSLV-C1 Earth Observation Satellite

33. INSAT-2D 04.06.1997 Ariane-44L H10-

3 Geo-Stationary Satellite I

34. RS-P3 21.03.1996 PSLV-D3 Earth Observation Satellite

35. IRS-1C 28.12.1995 Molniya Earth Observation Satellite

36.  INSAT-2C 07.12.1995 Ariane-44L H10-

3 Geo-Stationary Satellite

37. IRS-P2 15.10.1994 PSLV-D2 Earth Observation Satellite

38. Stretched Rohini  04.05.1994 ASLV Space Mission Satellite

39. Series (SROSS-C2)      

40. IRS-1E 20.09.1993 PSLV-D1 Earth Observation Satellite

41. INSAT-2B 23.07.1993 Ariane-44L

H10+ Geo-Stationary Satellite

42. INSAT-2A 10.07.1992 Ariane-44L H10 Geo-Stationary Satellite

43. Stretched Rohini 20.05.1992 ASLV Space Mission I Satellite

44. Series (SROSS-C)      

45. IRS-1B 29.08.1991 Vostok Earth Observation Satellite

46.  INSAT-1D 12.06.1990 Delta 4925 Geo-Stationary Satellite

47. INSAT-1C 21.07.1988 Ariane-3 Geo-Stationary Satellite

48. Stretched Rohini 13.07.1988 ASLV Earth Observation Satellite

49. Series (SROSS-2)      

50. IRS-1A 17.03.1988 Vostok Earth Observation Satellite

51. Stretched Rohini 24.03.1987  ASLV Space Mission Satellite

52. Series (SROSS-1)      

53. INSAT-1B 30.08.1983 Shuttle [PAM-

D] Geo-Stationary Satellite

54. Rohini (RS-D2) 17.04.1983 SLV-3 Earth Observation Satellite

55. INSAT-1A 10.04.1982 Delta 3910

PAM-D Geo-Stationary Satellite

56. Bhaskara-II 20.11.1981 C-1 Intercosmos Earth Observation Satellite

57. Ariane Passenger 19.06.1981 Ariane-1(V-3) Geo-Stationary Satellite

58. Experiment (APPLE)      

59. Rohini(RS-D1) 31.05.1981 SLV-3 Earth Observation Satellite

60. Rohini(RS-1) 18.07.1980 SLV-3 Experimental/Small Satellite

61. Rohini Technology

Payload 10.08.1979 SLV-3

Experimental/Small

Satellite(RTP)

62. 1Bhaskara-I 07.06.1979 C-1Intercosmos Earth Observation Satellite

63. Aryabhata 19.04.1975

C-1 Intercosmos

Experimental / Small

Satellite 

(41-B): Science and Technological Development in

India

Contents of the Chapter

Evaluate Yourself

Science and Technology Infrastructure: Scientific and technological activities in

India are carried out under a wide set-up consisting of Central government, State

Governments, higher educational sector, pubic and private sector industry and non-

profit institutions/associations. Notable among these are: the Council of Scientific and

Industrial Research (CSIR); Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); and

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). In addition, there are many laboratories

of various departments / ministries, viz. Department of Atomic Energy, Department of

Electronics, Department of Space, Department of Ocean Development. Defence

Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Environment and Forests,

Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and the Ministry of Science and

Technology. Further, there are over 1,200 in-house research and development units

in industrial undertakings supporting research in their respective industries.

New Science and Technology Policy 2003 : The policy outlines the approach to S

& T governance, optimal utilisation of existing physical and knowledge resources,

development of innovative technologies, systems and technologies for mitigation and

management of natural hazards, generation and management of intellectual property

and creation of awareness amongst general masses about the use and benefits of

science and technology.

Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology was set up in May 1971 with the

objective of promoting research in new areas and to play the role of a nodal

department for organising, co-ordinating and promoting science and technology

activities in the country.

Research and Development Programmes

The Department of Science and Technology has been playing a crucial role in

identifying and promoting front-line and priority areas on Research and Development

(R&D) in various disciplines of science and engineering. This support is provided

through (Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) - an advisory body

consisting of eminent scientists and technologists draw) from academic institutions

like IITs, universities, national laboratories and industry. The Council through its

advisory committees, assists the Department not only in peer reviewing the proposals

but also identifies newer and inter-disciplinary areas of R&D for concerted efforts.

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has been established by the

Department in 2010 as an autonomous body for promoting basic research. The Board

is expected to play a major role in promotion of extra mural research in the country.

Assessing the importance of the emerging, highly interdisciplinary field of

Nanoscience and Technology, (a national programme titled “Nanomaterials Science

and Technology Initiative (NSTI)” has been started. The programme focuses at

overall research and development in nanoscience and technology) with givour so that

India can become a significant player in the area and contribute to the development

of new technologies.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of India’s Independence, the Government

launched (Swaranjayanti Fellowships for enabling outstanding young scientists to

attain world class levels in science). The Fellowships are open to (Indian scientists in

the age group of 30-40 years), with proven capability for outstanding research work

exploring new frontiers in their field of specialisation.

Infrastructure Development: ‘Intensifica-tion of Research in High Priority Areas’ -

IRHPA has helped in strengthening the infrastructure and research capabilities in

selected areas of science and engineering.

In order to provide and improve basic infrastructure in academic sector for research

and teaching a scheme viz. (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in

Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) was initiated during the 9th

Five Year Plan).

Human Resource Development: In order (to motivate bright young minds at their

secondary school / college levels and to encourage them to stick on to a career in

science, a new scheme called Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana has been

initiated).

Women Scientists Scheme (was launched during the year 2002 by the Department of

Science and Technology. The scheme provides support to women scientists, with or

without a break in career, to pursue science in all its aspects and encourage them to

continue in the scientific profession and also contribute towards application of science

and technology to societal development.

Technology Development and related Programmes

Specific mention may be made of

the Medium Throughout Facility, Pharmacological Testing Facility and Centre for Pharmaco-

kinetic and Metabolic Studies at CDRI, Lucknow, Immunomodulatory Potential Testing Facility

at IICB, Kolkata; National Facility on Transgenic and Gene Knockout Mice at CCMB,

Hyderabad; and National Centre for Bioavailability at National Institute of Pharmaceutical

Education & Research, Mohali).

The Department has set up an autonomous body - Technology Information, Forecasting

and Assessment Council (TIFAC).

Technology Development Board

The (Technology Development Board) was constituted in September 1996. The

Board (provides financial assistance to) industrial concerns and other agencies for

attempting development and commercial application of indigenous technology or

adapting imported technology for wider domestic application.

The TDB institute a ‘National Award for successful commercialaisation of indigenous

technology’ by an industrial concern to be given away on the (Technology Day, i.e. 11

May every year commencing from 1999). (The National Award consists of two

components : (i) to the industrial concern which has successfully commercialised the

indigenous technology and (ii) to the developer / provider of such technology).

National Accrediation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories

The National Accrediation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)

provides formal recognition for technical competence of testing, calibration and

medical laboratories.

Based on evaluation, of NABL operations by APLAC in 2000, NABL has been

granted signatory member status by APLAC and International Laboratory

Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) under their Mutual Recognition Arrangements

(MRAs).

S & T Programmes for Socio-Economic Development

The Department of Science and Technology is also devoted to evolving and

implementing specific programmes to promote applications of S & T to improve the

quality of life especially for the disadvantaged sections of the society. The areas in

which significant achievements have been made are setting-up of Technology Parks

for women; low-cost housing and sanitation; integrated land water and cover

management; eco-restoration and sustainable use of biomass in the hilly region;

artisanal pottery; artisanal blacksmithy; artisanal leather tanning; training agricultural

labour (SC youth) in the use of modern agricultural appliances for improved

agricultural productivity; farm-oriented low-cost technology for utilisation of Azolla as

biofertilizer; developing livelihood base for tribals in Melghat region through

watershed development, etc.

Technology Interventions for Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN) programme aims at

developing and facilitating research and application  S&T based solution to identified

problems and societal needs.

The National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board

(NSTEDB) established in January 1982 has been implementing several schemes and

programmes on promotion of entrepreneurship and creation of sustainable

employment through the application of S&T.

A scheme for establishment of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) was launched

in 2000-2001 to promote the growth of technology-based enterprises and to foster

faster commercialisation of R & D results. Science and Technology Entrepreneurship

Development (STED) projects are in operation in backward districts. STED projects

aim at establishment of micro-enterprises in the district of its operation. For those

unable to join regular Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs), Open

Learning Programmes in Entrepreneurship (OLPE) was initiated in 1994-95 in

collaboration with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII),

Ahmedabad.

Natural Resources Data Management Systems

The Natural Resources Data Management programme is being implemented to

upgrade the existing data management methodologies at the district level to facilitate

decision making process with regard to local area management and development.

Launched in 1982-83, the programme involves several R&D institutes of national

repute, universities and non-governmental agencies in a consortium mode.

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

(NSDI was initiated in the year 2000 in R&D mode to provide collated Geo-Spatial

data to user community). The Government approved creation of NSDI in June 2006.

State S & T Programme

(The Department of Science and Technology has been operating a scheme entitled

‘Assistance for Development of State Councils on Science and Technology’ since

1980). The State Councils on Science and Technology have been set-up in all States

and UTs.

Science Communication and Popularisation

The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), has

been engaged in science and technology communication/popularization and

inculcation of scientific temper among the people.

(The National Children’s Science Congress is an important activity involving children

in the age group of 10-17 years from all over the country. The programme is

envisaged to encourage the students to relate the learning of science to the

environment around, to their immediate social and physical environment and provide

them a forum to interact with scientists to quench their curiosity and thirst for

creativity).

(Year 2004 was declared as the year of Scientific Awareness by the Government).

Vigyan Rail, Scientific Jathas, interaction of scientists with common man were some

of

the activities taken up to celebrate the year of scientific awareness. An extended run of

Vigyan Rail and Vigyan Mail (Science and Technology Exhibition on wheels) was done in

2005 to cover a few selected smaller towns throughout the country.

Vigyan Prasar : Vigyan Prasar was established in 1989 to take up large scale science

popularisation programmes.

S & T Resources Information

The Department of Science and Technology makes available on a continuous basis

information on both manpower and financial resources devoted to science and

technology activities.

International Co-operation

International Science and Technology co-operation such as with SAARC, ASEAN

and BIMST countries; and multilateral co-operation through NAM Science and

Technology Centre, COSTED, UNESCO, etc. India has got bilateral science and

technology co-operation with 56 countries.

Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR) is one more

initiative between India and France for promotion of collaborative research in

advanced areas of fundamental and applied science and technology. A major

bilateral programme in the form of Indo-US Science and Technology Forum has been

launched. A new project-based personnel exchange programme with German

Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is being implemented.

Under international science and technology co-operation programme the following

Joint R&D Centres have been established : Indo-Russian Research Centre in

Advanced Computing at Moscow; International Advanced Research Centre for

Powder Metallurgy (ARC-I) at Hyderabad; and Indo-Uzbek Centre for Medical

Application of Low Level Lesers for treatment of Tuberculosis and allied diseases at

New Delhi.

A number of collaborative national programmes, viz. design and development of

INDUS-I, and INDUS-II synchrotron radiation sources at Indore with Russian

collaboration; characterisation of Lakakh (Hanle) site for installation of the 2-m

telescope and setting up of 14 GFLOP computer at Indian Institute of Astrophysics,

Bangalore for N-Body simulations with Japanese experts; Development of gamma

ray telescope at Mount Abu with Russain collaboration; a plant for collaboration; and

superconducting cyclotron and cryogenics at VECC, Kolkata have been established.

To mobilize the skills and expertise of Indian scientists and technologists working

abroad, a new programme known as Collaborative Projects with Projects with

Scientists and Technologists of Indian origin abroad (CP-DTIOs) have been launched

for strengthening Indian institutional and human capacity in frontier areas of science

and cutting edge technologies as well as for accelerating achievements of goals set

out in ongoing nationally important Indian Research Programmes.

Meteorological Services

(The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875). It is the

National Meteorological Service and the principal Government agency in all matters

relating to meteorology, seismology and allied subjects.

(India launched a geostationary meteorological satellite METSAT in September 2002,

and re-named it KALPANA-I). Another geostationary (multipurpose) satellite, INSAT-

3A was launched in April, 2003. Meteorological Data is being received from Kalpana

INSAT - 3A and NOAA Series of Satellites for Meteorological Analysis and Weather

forecasting apart from generating hourly could imagery, INSAT Meteorological Data

Processing System (IMDPS), producing the following products from the data

received:

• Cloud Motion Vectory (CMVs).

• Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs).

• Outgoing longwave Radiation (LR).

• Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE).

A National Satellite Date Centre (NSDC) was commissioned w.e.f. October 2005.

The IMD has a network of 40 RADARS installed throughout the country. Under

modernisation scheme of RADAR network, one S-Band, Doppler Weather Radar

Metero 1500S imported from Germany was installed at Visakhapatnam.

(The India Meteorological Department is maintaining 51 seismological observatories)

under the national network to monitor the seismic activity in and around the country.

A Central Receiving Station (CRS) and a National Seismological Data Base Centre

(NSDC) have been established at New Delhi to receive analyse and systematically

achieve the seismic data.

The IMD continues to participate in multi-disciplinary scientific cruises of Ocean

Research Vessels in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, etc. during

pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods.

(The first operational Long Range forecast of seasonal southwest monsoon rainfall

(June-September) of India was issued by IMD in 1986). IMD has developed new long

range forecast models which were introduced in 2003.

IMD has also installed 250 (Cyclone Warning Dissemination Systems (CWDS). This

is unique in the world and helps in direct broadcast of Cyclone warning to the public

in general) and coastal authorities) in particular.

(IMD publishers its quarterly journal MAUSAM), annual publications of Indian

Astronomical Ephemeris, Rashtriya Panchang in 13 languages and Sunrise, Sunset,

Moonrise and Moonset tables are brought out by the Positional Astronomy Centre,

Kolkata.

Survey of India

(Survey of India (SOI), the national survey and mapping organization under the

Ministry of Science & Technology was set up in 1767).

Survey Training

Institute, Hyderabad established under UNDP assistance is a premier institution for training in

various disciplines of surveying and mapping to the trainees sponsored by the department,

other State / Central Government Organisations and neighbouring countries

The Great Trigonometrical Survey Triangulation Network of India and adjacent countries

started in the year 1802.

Keeping in view a new National Map Policy announced on May, 2005, Open Series Maps

based on UTM projection and WGS-84 datum which is compatible with the coordinate system

of GPs, used in all activities of surveying and mapping, are being published for users

community.

National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation : While Survey of India meets the

national needs in cartography, some specialised thematic maps required to meet the needs of

the specific users are taken care of by the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation

(NATMO), operating under the Department.

It also concentrates its attention in a number of areas to integrate resource maps with

other relevant socio-economic data and represent them in spatial forms, useful for

development planning.

Autonomous Scientific Institutions

The Department of Science and Technology provides grants-in-aid to the following 19

autonomous scientific research institutions engaged in frontier areas of research in

basic and applied sciences : (i) Bose Institute, Kolkata; (ii) Agharkar Research

Institute, Pune; (iii Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology,

Thiruvananthapuram; (iv) Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences, Kolkata;

(v) Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune; (vi) Indian Institute of Astrophysics,

Bangalore; (vii) Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research,

Bangalore; (viii) Raman Research Institute, Bangalore; (ix) S.N. Bose National Centre

for Basic Sciences, Kolkata; (x) Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow; (xi)

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai; (xii) Wadi Institute of Himalayan Geology,

Dehradun; (xiii) International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and

New Materials, Hyderabad; (xiv) Technology Information Forecasting and

Assessment Council, New Delhi; (xv) Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi; (xvi) National

Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, New Delhi; (xvii) Centre

for Liquid Crystal Research, bangalore and (xviii) Aryabhatta Research Institute of

Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital. (XIX) National Innovation Foundation

Ahmedabad.

The DST also extends financial and administrative support to the following academies

and professional bodies which are engaged in the promotion of S&T in the country

through the involvement of scientists and engineers; (i) Indian Academy of Sciences,

Bangalore; (ii) Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi; (iii) Indian National

Academy of Engineering, New Delhi; (iv) National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad

and (v) Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata.

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), is a part of the Ministry

of Science and Technology with the mandate for indigenous technology promotion,

development, utilization and transfer.

DSIR implements the Plan scheme “Technology Promotion, Development and

Utilization (TPDU_ Programme” apart from coordinating the activities of two

autonomous bodies, namely Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and

Consultancy Development Centre (CDC) and two public sector undertakings,

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Central Electronics Limited

(CEL).

Industrial R & D Promotion Programme

DSIR is the nodal department for granting recognition to in-house research and

development centres.

The Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP)

The programme aims to tap the vast innovative potential of the citizens of India. The

activities under TePP include providing financial support to individual innovators

having original ideas and convert them into working modes, prototypes, etc.

Technology Management Programme

The programme aims to enhance knowledge and skills in the efficient management

and transfer of technology.

International Technology Transfer Programme

The Programme aims to promote international technology transfer and trade including

exports of technologies, projects services and hi-tech products.

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC)

The Corporation was established in December 1953 as a company, under Section 25

of the Companies Act to commercialise the research and development outputs of

publicly funded R&D institutions as well as to promote the growth of indigenous

technology.

Central Electronics Limited (CEL)

CEL’s operations can be broadly grouped into three areas, viz, solar photovoltaics

(SPV), strategic electronic and railway electronics. (CEL is the pioneer and a leading

manufacturer of SPV cells, module and systems and railway safety signaling

equipment).

Consultancy Development Centre (CDC)

The Consultancy Development Centre (CDC) came into being as a registered society

in January 1986, and is functioning from its office at India Habitat Centre Complex

since May 1994. The CDC was approved as Autonomous institution of Department of

Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) in December 2004.

(Recently, CDC launched e-coaching mode for MS programme). It held discussions

on model

accreditation grading and ranking system for consultants in India and (took new initiatives in

the area of safe drinking water).

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

CSIR an ensemble of 37 national laboratories and 39 outreach centres, spread

across the length and breadth of India.

Contribution to ‘Chandrayaan’ : (In October 2008 India launched Chandrayaan-I,

India’s first scientific mission to the Moon). As many seven CSIR laboratories have

contributed in significant way to this prestigious mission. It includes space weather

information / alerts, zinc oxide-based microelectro mechanical systems acoustic

sensor, acoustic testing, wind tunnel tests, designing of various civil structures etc.

In the area of Healthcare : One of the major initiatives is launching of OSDD. Modeled

on development ‘www’ and ‘Linux’, this programme was launched on September 15,

2008 and so far more than 1300 registered participants are on the portal. To begin

with, (OSDD seeks to develop low cost molecules for the treatment of tuberculosis,

an infectious disease widely prevalent in India). Another significant achievement is

the development of Indian Genome Variation Database (IGVDB), which houses

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) frequency data in over 1000 genes from

disease and drug response candidates in population representing the entire genetic

diversity of India. It has also developed an ayurvedic formulation namely ‘Prostalyn’

for treatment of prostate cancer.

(CSIR-800: The programme has a mission, that is to increase per capita income by

Rs. 15.00 per day of the target group which 800 million people of India living in the

bottom half to the development pyramid). The focus areas are ‘affordable health’,

‘sustainable energy’, ‘waste to wealth’, ‘potable water’, low-cost housing’ and

‘empowering masses’. In first of its new endevours, CSIR has launched ‘Soleckshaw’,

an optimally designed, pedal operated-moto-assisted, zero carbon emission urban

transport vehicle.

In the area of Sustainable Energy: (CSIR has developed India’s first push-button type

300 W self-supported Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell System). Taking

forward the concept of ‘waste of wealth’, CSIR had developed a technology for

conversion of bagasse to biofuel which has already been transferred to sugar

industry. Augmenting its technology for conversion of jatropha to biodiesel, CSIR has

installed ITPD plant in collaboration with Defense Research and Development

Organization (DRDO). CSIR has significant contribution in the area of solar energy

research also. Technology for production of solar water heater ‘Nalsun’ has been

developed and commercialized.

In the area of Ecology & Environment : CSIR has come up with a first-ever long

climate simulation with a global general circulation model with a spatial resolution of

20-km.

In the area of Biology & Biotechnology : CSIR has recently reported discovery of two

spermicidal compounds (DSE-36, and DSE-37, disulphide esters of carbothioic acid)

with extremely potent spermicidal action that killed 100% human sperm at just 4% of

EC 100 of N-9. Another significant contribution is the development of (‘FishMap’, a

unified and centralized resource for storage, retrieval, and display of genomic

information of zebrafish).

In the area of Chemical Technology : It has established 20,000 tap plant at (Digboi

Refinery Plant, the oldest refinery of the country).

In the area of Earth System Science : In a collaborative effort with Geological Survey

of India and Oil and Natural Gas Commission, CSIR has prepared and released

Gravity Map series of India-2006. CSIR also studied lower crustal and mantle

xenoliths from the mimberlite clusters combining geothermobarometry, age and

petrophysical properties and subsequently mapped 4-D lithospheric of the eastern

Dharwar craton.

In the area of Engineering Design and Structure : CSIR has re-engineered the

navigational span of Pamban railway bridge from metre gauge to broad gauge.

Another achievement is setting up of an excellent tower testing facility at Chennai

which ranks among the best in the world for testing towers upto a height of 65 m and

a base dimension of 22.5m × 22.5m and cross-arm width up to 36m using electro-

hydraulic servo system.

In the area of Information : CSIR continued its efforts towards dissemination of

science & technology information in the form of three well-circulated popular science

magazines, Science Reporter (English monthly), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi monthly) and

Science ki Duniya (Urdu quarterly), number of popular science books, and 16

scholarly science journals.

Human Resource Developments : CSIR is committed to develop and nurture S & T

manpower at the national level. Some of the activities are : award of Shanti Swarup

Bhatnagar Prizes (SSB) and CSIr Young scientist Awards, (YSA); selection of Junior

Research Fellows (JRF) through National Eligibility Test (NET); selection of Senior

Research Fellows (SRF), Extended Research

Associates (RA), Senior Research Associates (SRA) and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellows

(SPMF); funding of Extra Mural Research (EMR) schemes at Universities / R&D

organizations; visiting Associateship scheme; travel/conference/symposium grants; CSIR

Programme on Youth for Leadership in Science (CPYLS).

Atomic Energy

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), established on 3 August 1954 is engaged

in the development of nuclear power technology, applications of radiation

technologies in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry, and basic research.

The Department comprises five research centres, three Industrial Organisations, five

Public Sector Undertakings and three Service Organisations.

Nuclear Power Programme

DAE has been pursuing the following 3-stage Nuclear Power Programme:

The first stage comprises setting up of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PWHRs)

and associated fuel cycle facilities. HHWRs use natural uranium as fuel and heavy

water as moderator and coolant.

The second stage envisages setting up of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) backed by

reprocessing plants and plutonium-based fuel fabrication plants. Plutonium is

produced by irradiation of uranium-238.

The third stage is based on the thorium-uranium-233 cycle. Uranium-233 is obtained

by irradiation of thorium.

The first stage of Nuclear Power Programme is already in commercial domain. The

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking of DAE,

is responsible for the design, construction and operation of nuclear power reactors.

To gain experience in the second stage, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic

Research (IGCAR) has been engaged in the design and development of liquid

sodium cooled fast breeder reactors. IGCAR has successfully developed the Fast

Breeder Reactor (FBR) technology. The operational experience of FBTR of more

than two decades and further technology developments have facilitated the design of

a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (currently under construction of

Kalpakkam). A new public sector undertaking Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam

(BHAVINI) of DAE is implementing this project which is expected to add 500 MWe to

the Southern grid by the year 2010-11.

The third stage of the Nuclear Programme is in technology development stage. The

onoging development of 300 MWE Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) at

BARC aims at developing expertise for thorium utilization and demonstrating

advanced safety concepts.

Nuclear Power Programme:

Stage-I Pressurised Heady Water Reactors

For the Indian Nuclear Power Programme, that took off in the sixties, PHWR was the

reactor of choice for the first stage of the programme. However, to gain operational

experience, initially an atomic power system comprising two boiling water reactors

(BWR) was set up at Tarapur, Maharashtra. This was a turnkey project of the General

Electric of USA. Commissioned in 1969, the station is still in operation.

The first two PHWRs, at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, started commercial producted in

1973 and 1981. (The first unit (RAPS-I) was built with the help of the Atomic Energy

of Canada Ltd. (AECL)). However, the second unit was completed with the

indigenous research and development endeavour and the support of the Indian

industry. This success followed commissioning of the two 220 MWe reactors at

Kalpakkam near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the years 1984 and 1986. Later, the design

of the 220 MWe PHWR was standardized and two reactors of this design were

commissioned at Narora, Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1992.

This technology of PHWR reached commercial maturity with the commissioning of

two 220 MWe PHWRs at Kakrapar (Gujarat) in 1993 and 1995. In the year 2000, four

state-of-the-art 220 MWe PHWRs, two each at Kaiga (Karnataka) and Rawatbhata

(Rajasthan) came online. One more 220 MWe PHWR was commissioned at Kaiga in

May 2007.

The reactor design of 220 MWe PHWR was successfully scaled up to 540 MWe. Two

reactors of this scaled-up design have been successfully commissioned at Tarapur, in

the years 2005 and 2006. The gestation period of the reactors has also been reduced

drastically.

The nuclear power generation has risen from 3000 million units in the year 1981-82 to

17016 million units for the calendar year 2009. The electricity generation, since

commencement of commercial operation of NPCIL units till end of December 2009

was 3,06,139 Mus.

Ongoing Projects

A total capacity of 3160 megawatt is under construction. It comprises three 220 MWe

Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, two at Rawatbhata (RAPP-5&6) and one at

Kaiga (Kaiga-2&$), two Pressurised Water Reactors of 1000 MWe each at

Kudankulam and one 500 MWe prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam.

New Projects

The Government of India has also given, in principle, site approvals for setting up 8

additional nuclear power reactors aggregating 6800 MWe. These will consist of 700

MWe. PHWrs and 1000

Mwe Light Water Reactors to be located at Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Kakrapar (Gujarat),

Tawatbhata (Rajasthan) and Jaitapur (Maharashtra).

The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The DAE organizations contributing to the Front-End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Programme are the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration (AMD),

Hyderabad; Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), Jaduguda (Jharkhand);

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad; and Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai.

BARC and IGCAR administer the Back End of they Cycle.

Survey and Exploration

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is engaged in

survey, exploration and evaluation of resources of uranium, thorium, niobium,

tantalum, beryllium, zirconium, lithium, yttrium and rare earth elements required for

the indigenous atomic energy programme of the country.

Country and exploration for atomic minerals had commenced in 1949. Over the

years, uranium deposits have been located at Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar,

Turamdih (East and South), Banduhuran (Turamdih West), Central Keruadungri,

Bagjata, Kanyaluka, Mohuldih and Nandup in Jharkhand; Domiasiat and Wahkyn in

Meghalaya; Lambapur - Peddagattu, Kpoounuru and Tummalapalle in Andhra

Pradesh; Gogi in Karnataka and Rohil in Rajasthan. So far, AMD has established

61,000 tonnes of uranium metal.

Certain Proterozic basins, which are the prime targets for unconformity-related high-

grade uranium deposits are Andhra Pradesh; Delhi basin (fold belt) in Rajasthan;

Bhima and Kaladgi-Badami basins in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh; Indravati and

Abujhmar basins in Chhattisgarh; and Gwalior basin in Madhya Pradesh.

Mining and Ore-Processing

The exploratory efforts of AMD, made earlier, had led to the opening of four

underground uranium mines at Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar and Turamdih all in

Singbhum (East), Jharkhand state.

A new open cast mine was also commissioned at Banduhurang in Singhbhum in

2007.

Nuclear Fuel Fabrication

Nuclear fuel fabrication for power reactors and research reactors is done respectively

at the Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, and BARC. In the development of new

fuels, BARC and IGCAR are engaged.

The Indian PHWR uses natural uranium-based fuel. A major milestone was achieved

with the fabrication of the first fuel element at Trombay in 1959.

For industrial scale manufacture of nuclear fuel assemblies and zircaloy structural

components for power reactors, the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) was set up in

Hyderabad in 1971.

Heavy Water Production and Upgrading

The Heavy Water Board (HWB) of DAE is responsible for building and operating

heavy water plants in the country. The Board has seven heavy water plants in the

country. Besides meeting domestic needs of heavy water, the board has also

exported heavy water. In November 2006, the Board executed the seventh export

order of 13 MT of heavy water to South Korea besides entering into a contract with

US for the supply of 4400 kg of nuclear grade heavy water.

Fuel Reprocessing

(The Indian nuclear power generation programme is based on closed-cycle approach

that involves reprocessing of spent fuel and recycle of Plutonium and Uranium-233

for power generation).

It has a Pilot for fuel reprocessing at  Trombay and industrial scale plants at Tarapur

and Kalpakkam. The plant at Trombay processes spent fuel from research reactors

while the other two plants process spent fuel from power reactors.

Nuclear Waste Management

Based on this technology, two Waste Immobilisation Plants (WIPs) have been

operating at Tarapur and Trombay. A facility for the immobilisation of waste in a

cement matrix has been commisioned at Kalpakkam. BARC has constructed an

Advanced Vitrification waste.

Vitrified waste is-stored in a specially designed Solid Storage Surveillance Facility

(SSDF) for about 30 years priot its disposal in deep geological formation. The first

such facility has been in operation at Tarapur since 1999.

R & D Support to Nuclear Power

A number of state-of-the-art instrumentation and control systems for reactors and

heavy water plants have been developed at BARC and IGCAR.

(Robotics is one of the major thrust areas of the R & D programmes at BARC and

IGCAR).

Electronics & Instrumentation

The meet the hi-tech instrumentation needs of the nuclear technology, a strong R&D

base was created in electronics and instrumentation, first at TIFR and later at BARC.

The knowhow and the products developed at Trombay in the area of electronics have

led to the setting up of the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) at Hyderabad

in 1967.

ECIL, is now a multi-product and multi-disciplinary organisation providing key

technology inputs, system integration and system solutions in the areas of information

technology, strategic electronics, communications, control and automation,

instrumentation and components.

Nuclear Power Programme-Stage : II

Fast Reactor Programme

IGCAR started the breeder programme with the setting up of a Fast Breeder Test

Reactor

FBTR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu in October 1985. This reactor, operating with indigenously

developed mixed uranium-plutonium carbide fuel has achieved its technology objectives.

Based on the experience gained with FBTR, the Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd.

(BHAVINI - formed in October 2003) is constructing a 500 megawatt (e) Prototype Fast

Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

Fast Reactor Fuel Fabrication

The Mark-I mixed carbide fuel core, with high plutonium content, has been developed

for the first time in the world.

Fabrication of Mark-II core is progressing at Trombay.

Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing

For reprocessing of FBTR fuel, the lead Mini Cell, henceforth known as Compact

Reprocessing facility for Advanced fuels in Lead cells (CORAL) has been

commissioned at Kalpakkam.

Fast Reactor Technology Development

Under the technology development programme, IGCAR is pursuing engineering-

related research & development such as thermal hydraulic and structural mechanics

studies, development of components such as control and safety rod drive mechanism

and various test facilities such as Sodium Water Reaction Test Facility and Steam

Generator Test Facility.

Nuclear Power Programme-Stage-III

Thorium Based Reactors

Thorium utilisation is the long term core objective of the Indian Nuclear Power

Programme for providing energy security for the country on a sustainable basis. The

third stage of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme is based on the thorium-uranium-

233 cycle.

For breeding fissile uranium-233 from thorium, development of Accelerator Driven

Sub-Critical Systems (ADS) for nuclear reactor is the latest addition to the Indian

nuclear programme.

For the separation of uranium-233 from irradiated thorium fuel on a plant scale, a

uranium-thorium Separation Facility is in operation at Trombay.

Safety & Environment

An independent body, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) monitors safety.

The safety standards formulated by AERB are on part with those recommended by

the international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

NPCIL is a member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). The

Association has conducted peer reviews of the atomic power stations at Kakrapar

and Narora.

Sophisticapted weather monitoring SODAR systems are operational at Kaiga,

Kalpakkam, Tarapur and Trombay.

IREMON, a nationwide network of environmental monitoring stations detects radiation

releases. Interfaced with global posititioning system, a Compact Aerial Radiation

Monitoring System.

Environment Friendly Technologies

DAE is a pioneer in conducting comprehensive thermal ecology studies in India.

The Nisarga-Runa technology developed at BARC converts biodegradable solid

waste into useful manure and methane. A number of such plants have been set up at

various places.

The Sewage Sludge Hygienisation plant (SHRI) at Vadodara continues to provides

dried hygienises sludge for use by farmers.

Large scale field trials of utilizing radiation processed municipal sewage sludge in the

agricultural fields have been conducted under the supervision of Krishi Vigyan Kendra

(KVK, Vadodara). The trial conducted showed increase in the yields of many

agricultural crops.

Radiation Technology & Applications

The research reactors set up by DAE so far, have been Apsara (1mW, Fuel: Enriched

Uranium-Aluminium Ally), CIRUS (40 MW, Fuel: Natural uranium), Zerlina (zero

energy, Natural Uranium), Purnima I-III (Fuel: Plutonium / Uranium-233), Dhruva (100

MW, Fuel: Natural Uranium) at Trombay (Maharashtra), and Kamini (30kW, Fuel :

Uranium-233-A1 alloy) and Fast Breeder Test Reactor (40MW, Fuel : uranium-

Plutonium carbide) a Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). Of the research reactors, Zerlina was

decommissioned in 1984, and Purnima series made way for Kamini.

Dhruva, CIRUS and Apsara are used for producing radioisotopes besides their use in

research and development relating to nuclear technologies and materials, applied

and basic research, and training. KAMINI is used mainly for radiography of various

materials, and FBTR is the test bed for the development of fuel, blanket and structural

materials for fast breeder reactor programme.

The new ventures include the development of a Critical Facility at Trombay for reactor

physics experiments relating to AHWR and 540 MWe PHWR, and pool type 200MWt

Multi Purpose Research Reactor.

Radioisotope Production & Processing

India is a leading producer of a radioisotopes in the world. Radioisotopes are

produced in the research reactors at Trombay, atomic power reactors at various

places in the country, and cyclotron at Kolkata.

The radioisotopes produced at Trombay and at the nuclear power stations, are

processed by BRIT.

Applications of Radioisotopes

The radioisotopes produced at Trombay find wide applications in the fields of

agriculture and food, medicine and health care, industry, and research. Based on

these applications, the following programmes have been established.

Crop Improvement

BARC, in collaboration with agricultural universities, has been engaged in research

and development in the field of crop

improvement.

BARC has successfully developed green manure crop - Sesbania rostrate that is proving

highly cost-effective for small farmers. A tissue culture-based protocol for rapid multiplication

of some commercial cultivars of banana has been developed here. This technology has been

transferred to the Maharashtra Stage Seeds Corporation.

Food processing

The Department has set-up plants for demonstration of high and low dose

applications of radiation. This plant processes onion, pulses, rawa and turmeric.

The Radiation Processing Plant at Vashi processed more than 1500 MT of spices

and other allied products.

The first radiation processing plant in private sector by M/s. Organic Green Foods ltd.

is operating in Kolkata. Three Gamma Processing. Plants have been completed in

Sonepat (Haryana), Ambernath (Maharashtra) and Vadodara (Gujarat). Apart from

supplying the Cobalt-60 sources for the new plants, BRIT provides requisite technical

guidance and facilitation services (from conception to commissioning stage) to enable

the entrepreneurs to commission the plant in a time-bound manner.

Nearly 300 tonnes of onion from a entrepreneur were irradiated at BARC’s Krushak

plant at Lasalgaon, district Nashik, Maharashtra.

Nuclear Medicine and Health Care

BARC and BRIT are the main centres of this activity.

At BARC, Cesium-137 based brachy therapy sources are routinely produced. For

treatment of cancer of eye, radiation sources of the size of rice grain, containing 2-3

milli curie of Iodine-125. This miniature source was tried for the first time for treatment

of eye cancer at Sankara Netralaya, Chennai. Another salient development here is

the digital medical imaging system based on a Charge Coupled Device (CCD).

BARC has successfully developed radiation-processed hydrogel for treating burns,

wounds and leprosy; Holmium-166-Hydroxy Apatiti (HoHa) and Samarium-153\-

Hydroxy Apatrite (SmHa) radiopharmaceuticals for treatment of arthritis, and

radiolabelling of phosphonates with Luthinium-177 for intermalised radiotherapy.

Tuberculosis is a major health problem in India. For detection of the disease infection,

BARC developed a sero-diagnostic test-kit with X-ray imaging using a three

dimensional cone-beam tonography which another important development.

BARC’s Radiation Medicine Centre (RML) in Kumbai is involved in research and

development in nuclear medicine and allied sciences. It is a regional referral centre of

the World Health Organiation, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

For the radiogianosis need in the eastern part of the country, the Regional Radiation

Medicine Centre (RRMC) of VECC is operating at Kolkata.

BRIT processes and formulates radiosotopes produced in the research reactors

Dhruva and Apsara at Trombay and also in the power reactors of NPCIL. BRIT also

manufactures radiation technology based equipment, and provides radiation

processing services to medical sector.

BRIT produces and supplies sealed radiation sources of Cobalt-60 and Iridium-192 to

a number of radiotherapy centres in the country, for cancer treatment.

The first unit of Bhabhatron installed at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research

and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai is used regularly for treating

cancer patients. An improved model of the Bhabhatron has been installed in a Red

Cross Hospital in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

Beam Technologies

Laser systems and Electron Beam Acceleatores are the areas where India is one of

the front runners. The DAE’s research organisation viz. Raja Ramanna Centre for

Advanced Technology (RRCAT) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Bhabha Atomic

Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai, are engaged in the development of applications

in the Laser systems, Electron Beam processes and devices, and Plasma devices.

In collaboration with Sriram Institute of Chemical Research, New Delhi, BARC

developed a special formulation of PVC based material which on radiation cross-

linking, leads to a product that can withstand temperature upto 105 deg. Celsius.

BARC and RRCAT have developed a variety of lasers that include gas lasers, solid

Wate lasers and semiconductor lasers which find wide applications.

The laser based devices that have been developed include a projectile speed-

measuring instrument commissioned at the Defence Metallurgical Research

Laboratory, Hyderabad, and Surface Profile-meter for measuring roughness.

Water Management

BARC has recently developed the Vapour Compression (VC) technology for seawater

desalination and a 50,000 litres / day VC desalination plant has been installed and

commissioned successfully.

Basic Research

Mathematics & Computation

BARC has developed over 15 different models of Anupam series of supercomputers

since 1991.

The Anupam-Ameya supercomputer developed by BARC is a 512 CPU cluster and is

the largest and fastest in the ANUPAM series.

The machine consists of 256 Dual processor Xeon based IU servers interconnected

to gigabit Ethernet network.

Physics

The Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar conducts research in condensed matter and

high energy, nuclear, atomic accelerator based physics and other related subjects.

At the Harish-Chandra Research Institute, the research in physics

covers the work on understanding the ground state of open string theories, which possess

tachyons

Seismic Studies

BARC monitors seismic activities at Garibidanur in Karnataka, Delhi and Trombay

seismic stations.

Astronomy

In the field of radiostronomy, a Radiotelescope Array, set up in the Nilgiri Hills near

Oocacamund, Tamil Nadu, has been in use for decades.

At Narayangaon, near Pune, Maharashtra, the Giant Metre Wave, Radio-Telescope

(GMRT) with 30 gigantic parabolic dishes, has been in operation.

Another international class astronomy-research facility GRACE has been set up by

BARC at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. It includes TACTIC. (Tera-electron = -Volt

Atmospheric Carenkov Telescope with Imaging Camera). This is the first-ever Indian

imaging gamma-ray telescope, and is being used for high-senstivity observation of

cosmic gamma ray sources above 1 TeV energy.

BARC’s Centre for Compositional Characterization of Materials (CCCM) in

Hyderabad provides high quality analytical services to various departmental,

governmental and private institutions.

Biology

The National Centre for Biological Sciences of TIFR at Bangalore has been working

on research initiatives in the frontline areas of biology.

The Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata is engaged in research elucidating the

structure function correlation of biom\olecules at the cellular and molecular level.

Research Education Linkage

Funding of Extra-mural Research

DAE encourages and promotes scientific research in universities, institutes and

laboratories in the area of relevance to the Department. Bhis is done through the

Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) and the National Board for Higher

Mathematics (NBHM), both in Mumbai.

BRNS has also introduced “DAE Science Research Council (DAE-SRC) Award” that

aims to set up frontier area research units around individuals. During the year 2006-

07, the Board approved 90 new research projects.

International Research Collaboration

Under a co-operation agreement, signed in March 1996, DAE, through its units, is

engaged in development and supply of sophisticated components for Large Hardron

Collider (LHC), a particle accelerator under construction by European Organisation

for Nuclear Research (CERN) at Geneva, Switzerland.

National Security

8 On May 18, 1974, India had conducted a peaceful underground nuclear experiment at

Pokhran in Rajasthan desert. Here after twenty four years, on May 11 and 13, 1998, India

successfully conducted five nuclear tests that included a themonuclear device, a fission

device and three sub-kiloton nuclear devices.

Accelerators

The Variable Energy Cyclotron (VEC) at Kolkata, 14MV Pelletron Accelerator in

Mumbai, and Synchrotron Radiation Sources (SRS) Indus I&II at the Raja Ramanna

Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) Indore, and Folded Tandem Ion

Accelerator (FOTIA) at Trombay, are the major accelerator facilities in the country.

Cyclotrons & Other Accelerators

The Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) at Kolkata is a national centre for accelerator-

based research. The Variable Energy Cyclotron set up here by BARC in 1977.

Fusion & Other Plasma Technologies

The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Ahemdabad operated Aditya Tokamak for

the studies on high temperature magnetically confiend plasmas.

Experts from International Thermonuclear Experimental, Reactor (ITER) central team

and member countries assessed India’s technical capability and preparedness to

participate in the ITER project as full member. At the end of successful negotiations

India’s accession to ITER took place on the December 6, 2005 during Negotiator’s

meeting at Jeju in South Korea.

ITER

Fusion is the energy source of sun and stars. Is fusion, two light nuclei (e.g.

deuterium and tritium) combine to form a heavier nucleus, and a large amount of

energy is released.

Considering the complexity of this technology, Japan, European Union, the then

Soviet Union and the United States had established a collaborative project

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in 1985 to harness fusion

energy. China and South Korea also joined the consortium of parties to the ITER

venture.

India has had a fusion research programme of its own, since the early eighties. Two

tokamaks have been indigenously built at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR)

near Ahmedabad, and a small tokamak has been imported from Toshiba, Japan for

the Saha Institute for Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (SINP).

India will be fabricating the 28 dia, 26 m tall stainless steel cryostat, which forms the

outer vacuum envelope for ITERA.

Technology Transfer

Human Resource Development

In 1957, BARC had started a Training School at Trombay to prepare a select group of

young scientists and engineers every year for responsible positions in various

institutions and projects of DAE.

The BARC Training School thus has associated with it the Training Schools at the

Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT), Indore, the Nuclear Fuel Complex-Heavy

Water Board (NFC-HWB), Hyderabad and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India

Ltd. (NPCIL) Training School with centres

at Tarapur, Rawathaba, Kaiga and Kalpakkam.

Indian Space Programme

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969. Space

research activities were provided additional fillip with the formation of the Space

Commission and the Department of Space by the government of India in 1972. And,

ISRO was brought under the Department of Space in the year. In the history of the

Indian space programme, 70s were the era of Experimentation during which

experimental satellite programmes like Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, Rohini and Apple were

conducted.

Antrix, the commercial arm of the Department of Space, is marketing India’s space

services globally. Fruitful co-operation with other space faring nations, international

bodies and the developing world is one of the main characteristics of India’s space

programme.

The most significant milestone of the Indian Space Programme during the year 2005-

2006 was the successful launch of PSLV-C6. On 5 May 2005, the ninth flight of Polar

Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C6) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)

SHAR, Sriharikota successfully placed two satellites - the 1560 kg CARTOSTAR-1

and 42 kg HAMSAT - into a predetermined polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

The successful launch of INSAT-4A, the heaviest and most powerful satellite built by

India so far, on 22 December 2005 was the other major event of the year 2005-06.

Indian National Satellite System

(The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic

communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region). In the 1980s, it initiated a

major revolution in India’s communications sector and sustained the same later. The

satellites of INSAT system, which are in service today, are INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A,

INSAT-3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, KALPANAI-1, GSAT-2, DEUSAT and INSAT-4A,

that was launched recently.

Launched Vehicles

After successfully testing the first indigenous launch vehicle SLV-3 in 1980, ISRO

built the next generation Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV). ISRO’s Launch

Vehicle Programme had a giant leap with the successful launch of IRS-P2 spacecraft

onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in October 1994. On 18 April

2001, India successfully launched its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

(GSLV).

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

The four stage PSLV is capable of launching upto 1,600 kg satellites into 620 km

polar orbit. It has provision to launch payloads from 100 kg micro-satellites or mini or

small satellites in different combinations. The latest launch of PSLV (PSLV-C6) was

on 5 May 2005 during which the vehicle precisely placed the 1560 kg CARTOSAT-1

and the 42 kg HAMSAT into a 620 km high polar SSO.

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

The GSLV was successful on its very test flight. After its successful second flight on 8

May 2003, it was commissioned. This was followed by the success of its third flight on

20 September 2005. The GSLV is capable of launching 2,000 kg class satellites into

Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV-Mk III, a new version of GSLV and

capable of launching space craft weighing upto 4 tonnes to GTO is under

development.

Launch Infrastructure

An elaborate launch infrastructure exists at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)

SHAR, Sriharikota Island on the East Coast of India which is about 100 km from

Chennai. Sriharikota is located at 130 North latitude. From here, satellites can be

launched into a variety of orbital inclinations starting from 180 and extending upto

990. The newly built Second Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR as a redundancy to the

existing launch pad, and to cater to the requirement of GSLV-Mk III as well as other

future launch vehicles, was commissioned on 5 May 2005 with the successful launch

of PSLV-C6.

Space Science

Chandrayaan-1, the unmanned lunar exploration spacecraft was launched on 22nd

October 2008 from HSAR, Sriharikota. The mission is intended to produce a map of

lunar chemical characteristics and three dimensional topography. It carries five ISRO

payloads and six payloads from other international agencies including NASA, ESA

and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, carried free of cost.

International Co-operation

ISRO has had a very good record of international co-operation. It has Memoranda of

Understanding / Agreements with 26 countries / space agencies. A UN sponsored

Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-

AP) set up in India has trained more than 400 personnel of the Asia-pacific region.

ISRO has launched scientific payloads of other space agencies like Modular Opto-

electronic Scanner of DLR, Germany that was flown on IRS-P3 spacecraft and the

data is being shared by scientists of DLR, India and the US. It has a co-operative

agreement with NASA/NOAA for the reception of meteorological data from

INSAT spacecraft by those agencies.

Megha-Tropiques is a joint satellite mission of ISRO and French Space Agency CNES for

atmospheric studies. Instruments for astronomical observation jointly developed with Israel

and Canada will be flown onboard India’s GSAT-4 and RISAT satellites respectively. And, an

Indian scientific instrument to study solar physics and solar-terrestrial sciences will be flown

onboard Russia’s CORONAS-PHOTON satellite.

India has also set up three local User Terminals and a Mission Control Centre for the

international COSPAS / SARSAT programme for providing distress alert and position location

service. A search and Rescue Transponder is included in INSAT-3A spacecraft. India is a

signatory to the International Charter on Disaster Management and is providing remote

sensing date for the same.

Antrix

1. Antrix, the commercial front of the Department of Space, is a single window agency

for marketing Indian space capabilities.

2. Antrix offers launch services using India’s PSLV. Two German, one Korean and one

Belgian satellites have already been successfully launched by PSLV.

3. The delivery of Hylas spacecraft, being developed and built for Avanti Screenmedia,

UK jointly with EADS Astrium under a contract through ANTRIX, was expected to be

completed in third quarter of 2010.

4. The highlight of the achievement in launch service area was the successful launch of

six nanosatellites for international customers on board PSLVC14 mission on 23

September 2009.

5. Antrix has been conferred with several prestigious awards including “India Priae

Awards-Gold 2009” by Dainik Bhasker.

Indian IT-ITeS Industry

The Indian software and services exports including ITES-BPO exports in estimated at

US $ 47 billion in 2008-09, as compared to US $ 40.4 billion in 2007-08, an increase

of 16.3 per cent. The IT services exports is estimated to be US $ 26.9 billon on 2008-

09 as compared to US $23.1 billion in 2007-08, showing a growth of 16.5 percent in

2008-09, a year-on-year (Y-o-Year) growth of over 17.4 percent. While US & UK

remained the largest export markets (accounting for about 60 per cent and 19 percent

respectively, in 2007-08), the industry is steadily increasing its exposure to other

geographes.

The IT-ITeS industry’s contribution to the national GDP is estimated to increase from

5.5 percent in 2007-08 to 5.8 percent in 2008-09.

Major Initiatives in Information Technology

National e Governance Plan (NeGP)

The Nation e-Governance Plan was approved by the Government on 18th May, 2006.

The NeGP consists of 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs), which are currently at

different phases like conceptulization, design, implementation and post-

implementation.

State Data Centres

State Data Centre is one of the three core infrastructure components of the National

e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of Govt. of India. Under the SDC Scheme, it is proposed

to established Data Centres across the 28 States and 7 Union Territories.

e-District

e-District is a State Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan. The

Project aims to target certain high volume services currently not covered by any MMP

under the NeGP and undertake back-end computerization to enable the delivery of

these services through Common Service Centres.

The Department has approved 14 Pilot e-District project covering 35 districts.

Significant ground has been covered in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Bihar.

National Service Delivery Gateway (NSFG)

Centre of Development of advanced Computing (C-DAC) has built and deployed

NSDG (National e-governance Services Delivery Gateway) and NSD (National

Services Directory) which is the second Mission Mode Project to have gone live since

14th August 2008.

Information Technology Investment Regions

There is felt need to develop infrastructure facilities in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, as there

is little scope of building additional commercial space in the five tier 1 cities-New

Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. The Information Technology

(Amendment) Act 2008

The Information Technology Act 2000, a legal framework for transactions carried out

electronically was enacted to facilitate e-Commerce, e-Governance and to care of

computer related offences.

National Knowledge Network

Government has decided to establish a National Knowledge Network (NKN) with

scalable multi-gigabit capabilities which will connect 1000 covering the universities,

research institutions, libraries, laboratories, hospitals and agricultural institutions

across the country.

Technology development for Indian Languages

DIT has released the CDs for sixteen Indian languages viz. Tamil, Hindi, Telugu,

Marathi, Urdu, Punjabi, Oriya, Mannada, Assamese, Malayalam, Gujarati, Sanskrit,

Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Nepali for free mass usage.

Nanotechnology

The Nanotechnology Initiative Programme of Department of Information Technology

was started in 2004. A major project entitled Indian Nanoelectronics Users

Programme (INUP) with an outlay of about Rs. 25 crore has also been initiated at IIT

Bombay and IISc Bangalore too facilitate and support generation

of expertise and knowledge in nanoelectronics through participation and utilization by external

users of the facilities established at the Nanoelectronics Centres at IISc Bangalore and IIT-

Bombay.

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is premier R & D

organization of the Department for carrying out R & D in IT, Electronics and

associated areas.

C-DAC commissioned a supercomputing system called PARAM ‘’Yuva” in November

2008. Its Rmax (sustained performance) is 37.80 Teraflops and Rpeak (peak

performance) is 54.01 TFs. It ranked 68th in the list of TPP500 supercomputers

announced in November 2008 at Supercomputing Conference ‘SCO8’ held at Austin,

Texa, USA.

PARAM Yuva (with 37.8TFs Linpack performance) and PAARAM Synergy (with 2.01.

TFs Linpack performance) ranked at No. 2 and No. 9 positions respectively among

India’s Top. Supercomputers’s list announced by Indian Institute of Science (IISc),

Bangalore in HiPC’08 Conference on 18 December, 2008.

The next phase of Garuda will leverage upon the NKN (National Knowledge Network)

connectivity.

National Informatics Centre

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the nodal S & T organisation of the

Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information

Technology for facilitating the process of e-Governance in the country. NIC has

scored many firsts in the field of informatics development & networking for decision

support in the Central Government Departments, 28 State Governments, one

National Capital Territory of Delhi and 6 Union Territories, and about 611 District

administrations at sub-state level. It is the only organization in India to provide total

informatics support to the Ministers and Departments of the Central, State

Governments, District Administration and other Government bodies.

DOACC Society

DOACC Society is an apex body of Department of Information Technology, to carry

out human resource development and related activities in the area of Information.

Electronics and communication Technology (IECT). It’s headquarter at New Delhi. It

also has two regional centres at Pudukkottai (Tamil Nadu) and Patna (Bihar).

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has been established as a not-for-

profit Organization under section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 and was registered

in July 2003. The exchange points are presently operational at Mumbai, Delhi

(Noida), Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

Earth Sciences

Recognizing the increasing sensitivities of matters relating to the Earth Science

System, Government of India established the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on

12th July, 2006.

Earth Commission (EC) which comprises of leading scientists, administrators and

policy makers who advice the Ministry on overall earth science policy and strategy; an

Earth Science Organization (ESO) consisting of scientists, administrators, financial

advisors and heads of research institutes under MoES, which lay down and steer and

annual plans of the Ministry. Both the EC and ESO are chaired by Secretary, MoES.

At the field level the work of the Ministry is supported by the following organizations:

—

• Indian Meteorological Department (IMD);

• National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research (NCAOR);

• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS);

• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM);

• Integrated Coastal Marine Area Management (ICMAM);

• Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE);

• National Centre for Seismology, IMD and

• National Centre for Medium Weather Range Forecasting.

The details about the Ministry’s programme as well as the work of the research

centres are given in the following paragraphs.

Atmospheric Science Information & Services

Cyclone Warnings

8 The IMD, besides monitoring and forecasting cyclones, provides relevant data and advice to

members of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) so that economic and social

cooperation can be built upon by exchanging ideas between the Pacific Panel (ESCAP)

countries.

8 The agency acts as a Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre (TCAC) for international civil

aviation as well. At the national level, IMD interacts continuously with the National Disaster

Management authority and Ministry of Home Affairs to provide timely information and

warnings and emergency support services.

Warning responsibility centres

The Cyclone Forecasting Wing in IMD has a three-tier structure to cater to the needs

of the matitime states and other users. There are Cyclone Warning Centres (CWCs)

at Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar that provide cyclone warnings for

coastal regions of the maritime states in which they are located.

In addition, there are area-based Cyclone Warning Centre (ACWC) at Kolkata,

Chennai and Mumbai that not only provide warnings to their respective maritime

states but also supervise the advisories of these centres under their jurisdiction. The

national and international coordination as well as liaison with the Central Government

and other organisations is done by the Cyclone Warning Division

located at the IMD Headquarters at New Delhi.

Weather observing system

The Ministry has to set up 550 additional automatic weather stations (AWS) and

1,350 automatic rain guage (ARG) stations in the first phase of its modernisation plan

to complement the existing 125 AWS.

Weather Forecasting System

Operational since June 1, 2008, the weather forecasting system has already started

issuing quantitative district level forecasts up to five days covering all the 613

districts.

Ocean Science and Services

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), established at

Hyderabad in February 1999, is a knowledge and information technology enterprise

for the oceanic realm.

IOGOOS was formally established on November 5, 2002. 19 organisations from 10

countries have become Members of IOGOOS and agreed to collaborate and work

together for the implementation of GOOS in the Indian Ocean and for promoting

activities of common interest for the development of operational oceanography in the

Indian Ocean region.

Ocean Technology

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous body of this Ministry

of Earth Sciences (MOFS) was established to serve as the technical arm of DOD,

through a pool of highly trained manpower by taking up technology development and

demonstration projects in major areas viz., Ocean Energy, Deep Sea Technology an

Ocean Mining, Coastal and Environmental Engineering, and Marine Instrumentation.

Land based Plants: A land based plant of one lakh liter per day capacity was installed

in Kavaratti in May 2005. This LTTD desalination plant was developed indigenously

by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), which was commissioned at

Kavaratti in May 2005.

Mining the Ocean : India is the first country to be accorded status of a Pioneer

Investor in 1987 and was allocated an exclusive area in the Central Indian Ocean by

UN for exploration and utilization of resources.

In-situ soil properly measurement system : India got elected as Member of the Legal

and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for a period of

5 years beginning from 2007.

Geosphere and Seismological Disaster:

Early Tsunami Warning System : On October 15, 2007, the Minister for Science,

Technology and earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal inaugurated the National Tsunami

Early Warning System that has been set up at the Indian National Centre for Ocean

Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad.

Seismology Centre : Risk Evaluation Centre was created in New Delhi to evaluate

seismic hazards at a very high resolution so that its engineering applications were

possible.

Cryosphere and Polar Science

Antarctic Treaty-India’s 3rd Research Base at Antarctica

India was privileged to host the 30th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in

May 2007 for the first time ever since India joined the Antarctic Treay in 1983 and

was granted the consultative status.

Ice-core laboratory: The establishment of National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean

Research (NCAOR) at Goa as an exclusive polar research laboratory by the Ministry

is a reflection of India’s sustained and far-fetched interests in Antarctic science and

protection of its environment. The Centre has been designated as the focal

coordinating agency for the Indian Antarctic program and is responsible for

maintaining the Indian permanent station, ‘Maitri’ in Antarctica.

Expedition to Arctic: India already has a strong presence in the Antarctica for the past

27 years. Inquest for knowledge and pursuit of science, India has recently embarked

upon Arctic research by launching first ever scientific expedition to this region under

the leadership of Shri Rasik Ravindra, Director, NCAOR, Goa in the first week of

August 2007 using the international research facility at Ny-Alesund in Sptilsbergen

island of Norway.

ORV Sagar Kanya: The Vessel underwent a major dry-docking now equipped with a

new DP System and up-gradation of generators, bow thruster power management

system, a state-of-the-art Multibeam Swath Bathymetric System. For the first time,

ORV Sagar Kanya undertook a survey over approximately 600 lines kmw. covering

92. sq. kms. for recovery of failed GSLV engine. Three step-on engines S3, S2 and

S1 were recovered and many parts of the S4 stage engine / core vehicle were

collected from sea bottom.

Non-Living Resources

Polymetalic Nodule Programme : India is the first country to have received the status

of Pioneer Investor in 1987 and was allocated an exclusive area in Central Indian

Ocean Basin by UN for exploration and utilization of nodules.

Coastal and Marine Ecosystem

Lobster Fattening Technology : National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai,

successfully  developed and disseminate the viable technology for fattening lobsters

and mud crabs in cages to select beneficiaries in Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and

Andaman Islands, on

an experimental basis. There has been a substantial improvement in earnings of coastal

fishermen due to implementation of this scheme.

Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM)

The Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) programme initiated

in 1998 aims to facilitate use of scientific tools and techniques in addressing the

coastal problems like erosion, pollution and habitat degradation.

Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System

A major long-term programme to assess the health of marine environment has been

operational since 1990.

Ocean Research Vessels : Recognizing the necessity of research vessels for

conducting Marine Scientific Research, the Department acquired two state-of-the-art

Research Vessels viz., (ORV) Sagar Kanya and FORV Sagar Sampada in 1983 and

1984 respectively. During 1998, two Coastal Research Vessel viz., Sagar Poorvi, and

Sagar Pachimi were acquired to specifically monitor coastal pollution aspects. In

2006, a Buoy Tender Vessle, “Sagar Manjusha” was commissioned to cater to the

needs of ocean observation systems. Sagar Nidhi had been completed which was

launched in June 2007.

National Bioresource Development Board

A web portal Indian Bioresource Information Network (IBIN) has been launched as a

single window access to spatial and non-spatial data. The country’s first Butterfly

Park at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore was inaugurated on 25th November

2006.

A network programme has been launched for the Indian Coffee. Genome Research

under which CDNA libraries and ESTs are being developed.

Medicinaland Aromatic Plants

A rapid and highly reproducible protocol for in vitro propagation of Picrohiza

scrophulariflora has been developed. High yielding lines of Nothapodytes

nimmoniana with more than 1% camplothecin were identified from Western Ghats.

Evaluation of the performance of elite tissue culture plantlets vis-a-vis stem cuttings

of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) in farmers’ field over an are of 20 ha. in Tripura. Root

extract of clitorea ternatea and taraxerol showed significant inhibition of acetyl

cholinesterase activity and cognitive enhancing property. RAPD and minisatellite

profiles of the sandalwood (Santalum album) populations of the southern regions of

India have been generated. Work on cloning and characterization of regulatory

elements of genes involved in picrosides biosynthesis in Picrorhiza kurrooa has been

initiated.

Seribiotechnology

Screening of silk work germplasm for baculovirus resistance in silk work (Bombay

mori) has resulted in identification of three each of bivoltine and multivoltine strains

under a network project. A total of 67 mulberry accessions have been conserved in

vitro and 238 accessions have been successfully cryopreserved. Field evaluation of

mulberry transgenics (with HVA-1 gene) for abiotic stress tolerance has been

initiated. A new programme on biotechnology in tasar sericulture has been recently

initiated in collaboration with Central Silk Board.

Basic Research in Modern Biology

Fifty-Two R&D projects having fundamental questions were supported to provide new

vistas to the knowledge required for understanding the intricacies involved in applied

research. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology,

Trivandrum, using an in vitro cell culture model to evaluate the response of adult rat

cardiac fibroblasts to hypoxia.

Stem Cell

Stem cell biology is a promising and emerging field of the life sciences. The potential

of stem cell technology to develop therapy for many untreatable diseases through

cellular replacement or tissue engineering is widely recognized. Till date, more than

55 programmes have been identified and supported on various aspects of stem cell

research. Thee include generation of human embroynic stem cell lines, differentiation

of pancreatic progenitor cells to insulin secreting cells, isolation of multipotential adult

progenitor cells from bone marrow and their clonal expansion, use of banana lectins

for stem cells from bone marrow and their clonal expansion, use of banal lectins for

stem cell preservation, hematopoitic stem cells (HSC) for haplo-identical HSC

transplantation, use of limbal stem cells for ocular surface disorders, isolation and

characterization of mesenchymal and liver stem cells, in vitro differentiation of human

embryonic stem cells to neural and non-neural lineages, cardiac stem cells,

embryonic stem cells etc.

“CMC-DBT Centre for Stem Cell Research” has been stablished at CMC, Vellore to

carry out basic and translation research.

Human Genetics and Genome Analysis

The Human Genetics & Genome Analysis programme which is under implementation

since 1990-91 has established major infrastructure to pursue post genomic research

activities in the country and also to keep pace with international efforts to exploit the

available human, animal and microbial genomics available in public domain. In order

to develop trained manpower in the area the Government established four training

centres (CMC, Vellore, AIIMs, New Delhi, IIH, Mumbai, and SGPGIMS, Lucknow) to

train clinician scientists and technicians working at various medical college /

institutions.

Microbial andIndustrial Biotechnology

The technologies for production and application of various enzymes having industrial

importance such a skeratinase, pollulanases, cellulase, lactase, protease etc. have

been developed. The new projects relevant to health sector are focused on

development of a novel vesicular drug delivery system for psoriasis and biochip

diagnostics for detection of genetic diseases.

Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) for Public Private Partnership

The department initiated the scheme “Small Business Innovation Research Initiative

(SBIRI)” procedures and guidelines for ensuring safety from the use of Genetically

Modified Organisms (GMOs) and products thereof in research and application to the

users as well as to the environment. The institutions and industries involved in

recombinant DNA work are carrying out their acclivities with the approval from

Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSCs), Monitoring-cum-Evaluation Committee

(MEC) and Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) and other

institutional structures. The Department had reconstituted the Review Committee on

Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) to monitor the safety related aspects in respect of

ongoing r-DNA projects & activities involving Genetically Engineered Organisms /

Hazardous organisms and controlled field experiment of transgenic crops, in

compliance with the Rules-1989 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA-1986).

Bioinformatics

The BTIS net programme of this Department has today developed into an extensive

nationwide Network covering over 120 institutions, spread geographically all over the

country. The Network is engaged in providing support to Biotechnology research,

creating human resources in Bioinformatics and carrying out research in different

areas of Bioinformatics. Scientists of this network have published more than 1000

bioinformatics research papers in peer reviewed journals in last five years.

Biotechnology Parks and Incubators

The Biotech Park and incubator facility at Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park, Genome

Valley, Hyderabad has been mainly designed for development and scale-up of bio-

processes and technologies. A Biotechnoogy Incubation Centre (BTIC) in Kerala is

being established at Kalamassery, Ernakulum Dist., Kochi to promote small

entrepreneurs and units for knowledge of traditional medicine, herbs and plant

varieties, spices etc.

International Collaboration

International collaborations in biotechnology are an important vehicle for expanding

the knowledge base and developing of expertise which would leverage the growth of

research and development in the country. There is a renewed interest in collaboration

with India amongst the developed counties. Good progress has been made following

the MoU which were signed with Denmark and Finland and joint projects have been

funded. In new collaborations the Department signed two memoranda with

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada and the National Research Centre Canada

respectively. The ongoing bilateral agreements and collaborations have also been

significant, with joint projects being funded with Germany, Norway and USA. Bilateral

interactions have been initiated with Sweden, Ukraine and Eu. The multialteral

collaboration including co-operation amongst SAARC countries were pursued.

Autonomous Institutes and Public Sector Undertakings

National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi : The Institute continues to make inroads into

basic research related to the immune system with a commitment that the knowledge gained

would contribute to newer and more effective ways of addressing the health needs of the

country. During the year more than 50 peer reviewed manuscripts and 5 reviews have been

published. The Institute continued with the concept of ‘end-to-end’ research in the biosciences

and have signed MoU with Astra Zeneca India, Bangalore, and Cadila Pharmaceuticals,

Ahmedabad on a technology related to novel molecules that inhibit Mycobacterial Fad D

proteins and can have the potential as anti-mycobacterial drugs.

National Centre for Cell Science, Pune

The Centre has emphasis on R&D activities in the areas of cell biology including stem

cell biology, signal transduction, cancer biology diabetes, infection and immunity and

chromating architecture and gene regulation. The national cell repository supplied

1154 cell lines to 128 scientific institutions in India. Training and teaching

programmes were also conducted. In the cell biology research, for the first time a

nuclear more protein has been found to be associated with interphase microtubules.

A protein molecule from perivitelline fluid of India horse shoe orab has shown cardiac

promoting activity. In stem cell research, arachidonic acid omega 6) and its

metabolites found to reduce appotosis in CD34+cells. The differentiation of mouse

embryonic stem cells into dopaminergic neurons has been achieved. In cancer

biology area, a distinctive nuclear-mitochondrial mutational profile and varying stem

cell dynamics have been identified which seem to be associated with tumorigenesis.

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad

The Centre of DNA Fingerprinting and Giagnostics (CDFD) is an autonomous

organization funded by the Department of biotechnology, Ministry of Science and

Technology, Government of India CDFD has been providing services for DNA

fingerprinting, diagnostics, new born screening and boiinformatics based modern

high-technology DNA-based methods, of direct benefit to the public, as well as in

performing fundamental research of international standards in frontier areas of

biological science. CDFD also has a Sun Microsystem’s Centre of Excellence in

Medical Bioinformatics. Based on novel technology developed by the Centre, a new

joint activity has been initiated this year at the CDFD as “APEDA-CDFD Centre for

Basmati DNA Analysis” with funding through APEDA (Agricultural and Processed

Food products Export Development Authority).

National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Haryana

The National Brain Research Centre was established to create a Centre of

Excellence in Brain Research with state of art facility in the country to consolidate,

network and undertake basic research of high caliber in neuroscience and also to

generate highly trained human resources. The mandate of the centre is also to have

established linkages with national and international organisations involved in

neuroscience research. So far the centre through its networking centres established

47 neuroscience groups / institutions in the country to promote multi-disciplinary

research and providing the facilities of a digital library. The Functional Magnetic

Resonance Imaging (MIRI) facility of the centre was made operational on 29th

September, 2006.

National Institute for Plant Genome Research (NCPGR), New Delhi

The National Institute for Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi (previously a

National Centre) is engaged in plant genomic research with focus on structural

genomics and functional with application genomics. It is working on Genomics of

certain crops and manipulation of genes / genomes to breed improved varieties of

food and industrial crops such as Chickpea, Catharanthus, Potato, Lathyrus, Rice,

Sweet Potato and Cassasva.

Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal

The research programmes of the institute have continued towards bioresource development

and their sustainable use through biotechnological interventions for the socio-economic

growth of the North-East region.

Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubneshwar

A septuplet PCR assay was developed of rapid identification of specific-specific virulent and

e-positive strains of V. cholera and one hundred strains of V. cholerae O 1 wer tested to

document the validity of assay.

Public Sector Undertakings

There are two public sector undertakings i.e. Bharat Immunologicals & Biologicals

Corporation Limited, (BIBCOL) and Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited (IVCOL). The

BIBCOL located at Bulandshahar manufactures Oral Polio Vaccine being used in the National

Immunization Programme.

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi

ICGEB continued its research efforts in identified areas of human health, agriculture

and product development. A high through-put microtiter assay based on the heme

detoxification pathway of Plasmodium has been developed for screening chemical

combinatorial libraries and crude extracts of marine organisms.