BARC stands for Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. India’s prestigious nuclear research organization is headquartered in Trombay, Mumbai. It works under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister of India within the Department of Atomic Energy. It was founded in 1954 as Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) by the most celebrated nuclear physicist Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha to make India a pioneer in atomic science. Bhabha is also known as the Father of the Indian Nuclear Programme for his immense contribution to nuclear field study in India. However, it was renamed BARC after his death.
BARC is responsible for steering India in nuclear research and its peaceful application in various fields like health, food, engineering, School Analytics, agriculture, environment, waste management, and much more. BARC has designed and built India’s first Pressurised water reactor at Kalpakkam. Atomic energy has a vast potential to reduce the overall carbon footprint generated by coal-powered thermal plants. While nuclear power contributes 1.9% of total capacity installed in comparison to 61% by coal-powered plants, the importance of nuclear power is increasing with every step towards climate consciousness.
Currently, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, who has also worked majorly in nuclear physics, serves as the 13th Director for BARC.
