India and RCA

India’s journey of scientific partnership, capacity building, and shared progress across the region

India has played a foundational role in the evolution and advancement of RCA since its inception. As a founding member and a long-standing contributor to regional cooperation under the IAEA framework, India continues to support peaceful applications of nuclear science for socio-economic development across Asia and the Pacific. These collaborations strengthen South-South cooperation and reinforce India’s role as a trusted regional partner.

Healthcare Management

The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), an autonomous institution under DAE, has been actively associated with RCA activities since 1972. TMC has participated in multiple coordinated research projects related to:

  • Nuclear medicine
  • Radiodiagnosis & Radiotherapy
  • Regional training and expert missions
  • Coordinated research and QA
  • Equitable access to cancer care
The institution was recognised as an Anchor Centre under the IAEA Rays of Hope initiative in 2025.

Food Security

India has actively contributed to RCA projects related to food irradiation, food preservation, mutation breeding, and food safety. Radiation processing technologies developed in India support:

  • Shelf-life extension
  • Disinfestation and microbial decontamination
  • Integrtated phytosanitary protocols
  • Reduction of post-harvest losses
India operates multiple food irradiation facilities and continues to strengthen regional cooperation through training and technology dissemination.

Mutation Breeding & Nuclear Agriculture

BARC has developed more than 70 improved crop varieties using radiation-induced mutation breeding. These include improved varieties of groundnut, rice, mustard, pigeonpea among others. These technologies contribute to advanced crop varieties that have:

  • Better Yield
  • Early maturity
  • Shorter stalk
  • Climate resilience
India has actively participated in RCA projects focused on advanced mutation breeding and crop improvement.

Isotope Hydrology & Water Studies

India has contributed extensively to RCA programmes in isotope hydrology and sustainable water resource management. BARC has conducted RCA projects related to:

  • Groundwater recharge
  • Contamination pathways
  • Isotope-based hydrological investigations
These initiatives support sustainable water management and contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

Environmental Applications

India has contributed to RCA programmes involving radiation processing technologies for environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, industrial applications, and advanced materials. BARC scientists have participated in regional training courses, workshops, and coordinated research projects focused on:

  • Radiation-grafted materials
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Electron beam applications
  • Pollution remediation

Marine Environment & Monitoring

India has actively participated in RCA projects related to marine radioactivity monitoring and environmental assessment. Indian institutions have contributed to:

  • Marine monitoring databases
  • Radioanalytical techniques
  • Microplastic monitoring
  • Coastal ecosystem assessment
These initiatives strengthen regional environmental monitoring capacity and scientific cooperation.