Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research, Department of Atomic Energy,
Kalpakkam,Tamil Nadu - 603102, INDIA
i. Particulars of its organization, functions and duties [Section 4(1)(b)(i)]
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research [IGCAR]
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research [IGCAR], the second largest establishment of the Department of Atomic Energy next to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, was set up at Kalpakkam, 80 KMs south of Chennai [MADRAS], in 1971 with the main objective of conducting broad based multidisciplinary programme of scientific research and advanced Engineering, directed towards the development of sodium cooled Fast Breeder Reactor [FBR] technology, in India. This is part of the second stage of Indian Atomic Energy Programme, which is aimed at preparing the country for utilization of the extensive Thorium reserves and providing means to meet the large demands of electrical energy in 21st century.
In meeting the objectives, a modest beginning was made by constructing a sodium cooled Fast Breeder Test Reactor [FBTR], with a nominal power of 40 MWt, based on the French Reactor, RAPSODIE. The reactor attained its first criticality on 18th Oct, 1985 and has been in operation at its maximum attainable power level of 10.5 MWt with a small core. It is the first of its kind in the world to use Plutonium Uranium mixed carbide as a driver fuel.
Over the years, the centre has established comprehensive R & D facilities covering the entire spectrum of FBR technology related to Sodium Technology, Reactor Engineering, Reactor Physics, Metallurgy and Materials, Chemistry of Fuels and its materials, Fuel Reprocessing, Reactor Safety, Control and Instrumentation, Computer Applications etc., and has developed a strong base in a variety of disciplines related to this advanced technology.
With the experience and expertise gained by the successful operation of FBTR, the Centre has embarked upon the design and construction of 500 MWe, Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor [PFBR]. Various R & D activities in the areas of Structural Mechanics, Thermal Hydraulics and flow induced vibration, Component Testing in high temperature sodium environment, sodium-water reaction, hydraulic development of sodium pumps etc., were pursued and the design was completed. The PFBR is under advanced stage of construction and commissioning by BHAVINI.
As a part of efforts for closing the fuel cycle, a Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant is under construction.
A 30 KWt, U233 fuelled mini reactor [KAMINI] has been made operational for neutron radiography, neutron activation analysis etc.,
IGCAR utilizes its expertise and resources in enhancing its standing as a leading Centre of research in various branches of basic, applied and engineering sciences that have a bearing on Nuclear Technology like Structural Mechanics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Material Science, Fabrication Processes, Non-Destructive Testing, Chemical sensors, High temperature thermodynamics, Radiation Physics, Computer science etc.,
Apart from thrust areas related to nuclear technology, the Centre has credentials as a leader of research in various frontier and topical subjects like Quasi crystals, Oxide superconductors, Nano-structures, clusters, SQUID fabrication programs, exopolymers and experimental simulation of condensed matter using colloids etc.,
IGCAR has extended its expertise and facilities to other vital sectors as Defence, Space and other industries of India to develop techniques for reliable solutions to specialized problems. It has collaborations with educational and R & D institutes like Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Pilani, Regional Engineering Colleges, National Research Laboratories, Public Units and Institutes abroad.
A modern Library comprising 62,000 volumes of books, 41,000 back volumes, about 920 journals and 1.95 lakhs reports in all disciplines caters to the technical needs of the Scientists and Engineers.
The Central Workshop is fully equipped with sophisticated machines for the fabrication of precision components.
The Computer Division houses Silicon Graphics Power Challenge L servers, SGI work stations, 8 Noded Xeon Servers to meet the computational demands of the users.
The centre has sanctioned staff strength of 2814 including 1187 Engineers and Scientists.The annual outlay of the Centre is around 754.47 crore rupees towards its activities and plan.
Shri C G Karhadkar, Distinguished Scientist has taken over as Director, IGCAR on 01.06.2024.
1.2.1 Powers and duties of officers (administrative, financial and judicial)
a. Director: Director is the head of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and is responsible for implementation of the missions of the Centre. Director reports to the Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, and Atomic Energy Commission. The hierarchical set-up under Director IGCAR is as indicated below:
Director
Scientific / Technical
Administrative
Accounts
Group Directors
Chief Administrative Officer
Internal Financial Adviser
Associate Directors
Administrative Officer-III
Deputy Controller of Accounts
Heads of Divisions
Administrative Officer-III
Pay and Accounts Officer
Heads of Sections
Assistant Administrative Officers
Assistant Accounts Officers
Scientific Officers
Administrative Staffs
Accounts Staff
Technical and Auxiliary Staff
b. Group Director: The activities of the Centre are classified into distinct categories under the following Groups:
Civil Engineering Group [CEG]
Electronics & Instrumentation Group [EIG]
Engineering Services Group [ESG]
Fast Reactor Technology Group [FRTG]
Materials Chemistry & Metal Fuel Cycle Group [MC&MFCG]
Materials Science Group [MSG]
Metallurgy and Materials Group [MMG]
Reactor Design Group [RDG]
Reactor Facilities Group [RFG]
Reprocessing Group [RpG]
Safety, Quality & Resource Management Group [SQ&RMG]
Group Directors are responsible for implementation of the objectives of the Group and reports to Director ICGAR. Directors of Groups are vested with various powers as required for managing the activities of the Group.
a. Associate Director: Associate Director of Group is the next level functionary after Group Director in a Group and is directly responsible for activities of sub group within the group. Associate Directors are vested with various powers as required for managing the activities of the Group.
b. Head of Division: Each Group/ sub group headed by a Group Director/Associate Director is further divided into several Divisions under different Heads of Divisions. Heads of Divisions are responsible for implementation of the objectives of their respective Divisions. Divisions are usually further divided into Sections headed by senior Scientists who are designated as Heads of Sections and vested with certain powers
c. Chief Administrative Officer: Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for handling all administrative matters related to the Centre. He reports to the Director, IGCAR. Director, IGCAR is designated as Head of Department in respect of IGCAR for administrative functions. However, for administrative convenience, powers of Head of Department in certain areas have been redelegated to Chief Administrative Officer, IGCAR.
d. Internal Financial Adviser: Internal Financial Adviser is the Head of the Accounts wing of the Centre. He is responsible for handling all accounts related matters of the Centre. He reports to the Director, IGCAR
e. Administrative Officer: Administrative Officer is the next level functionary in the Administrative wing of the Centre, and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer. Administrative Officer (Personnel) in IGCAR is the Head of Office for administrative functions.
f. Deputy Controller of Accounts : Deputy Controller of Accounts is the next level functionary in the Accounts wing of the Centre, and reports to the Internal Financial Adviser.
1.2.2 Powers and duties of other employees
a. Director: Director is the head of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and is responsible for implementation of the missions of the Centre. Director reports to the Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, and Atomic Energy Commission. The hierarchical set-up under Director IGCAR is as indicated below:
Director
Scientific / Technical
Administrative
Accounts
Group Directors
Chief Administrative Officer
Internal Financial Adviser
Associate Directors
Administrative Officer-III
Deputy Controller of Accounts
Heads of Divisions
Administrative Officer-III
Pay and Accounts Officer
Heads of Sections
Assistant Administrative Officers
Assistant Accounts Officers
Scientific Officers
Administrative Staffs
Accounts Staff
Technical and Auxiliary Staff
b. Group Director: The activities of the Centre are classified into distinct categories under the following Groups:
Civil Engineering Group [CEG]
Electronics & Instrumentation Group [EIG]
Engineering Services Group [ESG]
Fast Reactor Technology Group [FRTG]
Materials Chemistry & Metal Fuel Cycle Group [MC&MFCG]
Materials Science Group [MSG]
Metallurgy and Materials Group [MMG]
Reactor Design Group [RDG]
Reactor Facilities Group [RFG]
Reprocessing Group [RpG]
Safety, Quality & Resource Management Group [SQ&RMG]
Group Directors are responsible for implementation of the objectives of the Group and reports to Director ICGAR. Directors of Groups are vested with various powers as required for managing the activities of the Group.
a. Associate Director: Associate Director of Group is the next level functionary after Group Director in a Group and is directly responsible for activities of sub group within the group. Associate Directors are vested with various powers as required for managing the activities of the Group.
b. Head of Division: Each Group/ sub group headed by a Group Director/Associate Director is further divided into several Divisions under different Heads of Divisions. Heads of Divisions are responsible for implementation of the objectives of their respective Divisions. Divisions are usually further divided into Sections headed by senior Scientists who are designated as Heads of Sections and vested with certain powers
c. Chief Administrative Officer: Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for handling all administrative matters related to the Centre. He reports to the Director, IGCAR. Director, IGCAR is designated as Head of Department in respect of IGCAR for administrative functions. However, for administrative convenience, powers of Head of Department in certain areas have been redelegated to Chief Administrative Officer, IGCAR.
d. Internal Financial Adviser: Internal Financial Adviser is the Head of the Accounts wing of the Centre. He is responsible for handling all accounts related matters of the Centre. He reports to the Director, IGCAR
e. Administrative Officer: Administrative Officer is the next level functionary in the Administrative wing of the Centre, and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer. Administrative Officer (Personnel) in IGCAR is the Head of Office for administrative functions.
f. Deputy Controller of Accounts : Deputy Controller of Accounts is the next level functionary in the Accounts wing of the Centre, and reports to the Internal Financial Adviser.
1.2.3 Rules/orders under which powers and duty are derived and
Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961
Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Rules framed there under Manual of Office Procedure
Exercise of Financial Powers (DAE) Rules, 1978
All Central Civil Services Rules
1.3.1 Process of decision making Identify key decision making points
As in the case of any other Government organization, there is a defined hierarchical set up with a chain of command in the IGCAR in the decision making process. A group of employees form into a Section under the Section Head and number of Sections constitute a Division under a Division Head. Similarly, the Division Heads work under Group Directors who report to the Director, who is the Head of Unit. IGCAR council, Directors Advisory Committee, IGCAR Scientific committee are bodies chaired by Director, are participating in the decision making process. Stores and Purchase Committee chaired by Director takes decision on purchase of high value items. Through the chain of command as indicated above, supervision and responsibility commensurate with the level of the officers concerned has been fixed. Details in this regard are available on IGCAR website www.igcar.gov.in
Time limit for taking decisions is as per the Orders issued by DAE/GoI from time to time.
1.3.2 Final decision making authority
As in the case of any other Government organization, there is a defined hierarchical set up with a chain of command in the IGCAR in the decision making process. A group of employees form into a Section under the Section Head and number of Sections constitute a Division under a Division Head. Similarly, the Division Heads work under Group Directors who report to the Director, who is the Head of Unit. IGCAR council, Directors Advisory Committee, IGCAR Scientific committee are bodies chaired by Director, are participating in the decision making process. Stores and Purchase Committee chaired by Director takes decision on purchase of high value items. Through the chain of command as indicated above, supervision and responsibility commensurate with the level of the officers concerned has been fixed. Details in this regard are available on IGCAR website www.igcar.gov.in
Time limit for taking decisions is as per the Orders issued by DAE/GoI from time to time.
1.3.4 Time limit for taking a decisions, if any
As in the case of any other Government organization, there is a defined hierarchical set up with a chain of command in the IGCAR in the decision making process. A group of employees form into a Section under the Section Head and number of Sections constitute a Division under a Division Head. Similarly, the Division Heads work under Group Directors who report to the Director, who is the Head of Unit. IGCAR council, Directors Advisory Committee, IGCAR Scientific committee are bodies chaired by Director, are participating in the decision making process. Stores and Purchase Committee chaired by Director takes decision on purchase of high value items. Through the chain of command as indicated above, supervision and responsibility commensurate with the level of the officers concerned has been fixed. Details in this regard are available on IGCAR website www.igcar.gov.in
Time limit for taking decisions is as per the Orders issued by DAE/GoI from time to time.
1.3.5 Channel of supervision and accountability
As in the case of any other Government organization, there is a defined hierarchical set up with a chain of command in the IGCAR in the decision making process. A group of employees form into a Section under the Section Head and number of Sections constitute a Division under a Division Head. Similarly, the Division Heads work under Group Directors who report to the Director, who is the Head of Unit. IGCAR council, Directors Advisory Committee, IGCAR Scientific committee are bodies chaired by Director, are participating in the decision making process. Stores and Purchase Committee chaired by Director takes decision on purchase of high value items. Through the chain of command as indicated above, supervision and responsibility commensurate with the level of the officers concerned has been fixed. Details in this regard are available on IGCAR website www.igcar.gov.in
Time limit for taking decisions is as per the Orders issued by DAE/GoI from time to time.
1.4.1 Nature of functions/ services offered
The rules and regulations and other procedures which are applicable to other Central Governments offices are accepted as norms in the IGCAR also for the discharge of functions by various authorities.
The grievances received through online CPGRAMS portal are redressed through the said portal by the Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR. Copy of the office order appointing Public Grievance Officer is given below Office Order appointing Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR
1.4.2 Norms/ standards for functions/ service delivery
The rules and regulations and other procedures which are applicable to other Central Governments offices are accepted as norms in the IGCAR also for the discharge of functions by various authorities.
The grievances received through online CPGRAMS portal are redressed through the said portal by the Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR. Copy of the office order appointing Public Grievance Officer is given below Office Order appointing Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR
1.4.3 Process by which these services can be accessed
The rules and regulations and other procedures which are applicable to other Central Governments offices are accepted as norms in the IGCAR also for the discharge of functions by various authorities.
The grievances received through online CPGRAMS portal are redressed through the said portal by the Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR. Copy of the office order appointing Public Grievance Officer is given below Office Order appointing Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR
1.4.5 Process of redress of grievances
The rules and regulations and other procedures which are applicable to other Central Governments offices are accepted as norms in the IGCAR also for the discharge of functions by various authorities.
The grievances received through online CPGRAMS portal are redressed through the said portal by the Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR. Copy of the office order appointing Public Grievance Officer is given below Office Order appointing Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR
1.4.4 Time-limit for achieving the targets
Annual targets are being fixed and verified.
1.5.4 Transfer policy and transfer orders
As per DAE & Trombay Council policy and norms.
1.13.1 Transfer policy and transfer orders[F.No. 1/6/2011-IR dt.15.04.2013.]
As per DAE & Trombay Council policy and norms.
1.6.1 Categories of documents
The categories of documents in this regard could be broadly indicated as Annual Reports, News Letters, Progress Reports, Technical Reports, Manuals for application of various facilities & equipments, Scientific Publications such journals, books, rule books in addition to other books issued by Central Government.
The custodian of documents is the concerned HoDs dealing with such documents as per the guidelines/ rules/procedures laid down by the Department time to time.
1.6.2 Custodian of documents/categories
The categories of documents in this regard could be broadly indicated as Annual Reports, News Letters, Progress Reports, Technical Reports, Manuals for application of various facilities & equipments, Scientific Publications such journals, books, rule books in addition to other books issued by Central Government.
The custodian of documents is the concerned HoDs dealing with such documents as per the guidelines/ rules/procedures laid down by the Department time to time.
1.7.1 Name of Boards, Council, Committee etc.
There are three main bodies in IGCAR which are IGC Council, Director's Advisory Committee (DAC) and Indira Gandhi Centre Scientific Committee (IGCSC) which lay down policies and programmes in a broad manner. In addition, there are several bodies whose functions are of advisory or recommendatory nature for assisting the Head of the Unit for discharging the duties. This consists of several Standing Committees including the selection or ad-hoc Committee for recruitment and promotion, etc.
There are three main bodies in IGCAR which are IGC Council, Director's Advisory Committee (DAC) and Indira Gandhi Centre Scientific Committee (IGCSC) which lay down policies and programmes in a broad manner. In addition, there are several bodies whose functions are of advisory or recommendatory nature for assisting the Head of the Unit for discharging the duties. This consists of several Standing Committees including the selection or ad-hoc Committee for recruitment and promotion, etc.
There are three main bodies in IGCAR which are IGC Council, Director's Advisory Committee (DAC) and Indira Gandhi Centre Scientific Committee (IGCSC) which lay down policies and programmes in a broad manner. In addition, there are several bodies whose functions are of advisory or recommendatory nature for assisting the Head of the Unit for discharging the duties. This consists of several Standing Committees including the selection or ad-hoc Committee for recruitment and promotion, etc.
There are three main bodies in IGCAR which are IGC Council, Director's Advisory Committee (DAC) and Indira Gandhi Centre Scientific Committee (IGCSC) which lay down policies and programmes in a broad manner. In addition, there are several bodies whose functions are of advisory or recommendatory nature for assisting the Head of the Unit for discharging the duties. This consists of several Standing Committees including the selection or ad-hoc Committee for recruitment and promotion, etc.
There are three main bodies in IGCAR which are IGC Council, Director's Advisory Committee (DAC) and Indira Gandhi Centre Scientific Committee (IGCSC) which lay down policies and programmes in a broad manner. In addition, there are several bodies whose functions are of advisory or recommendatory nature for assisting the Head of the Unit for discharging the duties. This consists of several Standing Committees including the selection or ad-hoc Committee for recruitment and promotion, etc.
1.7.6 Whether their meetings are open to the public?
As per the policy decision of IGCAR, the meetings of IGCAR are not open to the public and therefore the minutes of the meeting are also not open to the public.
1.7.7 Whether the minutes of the meetings are open to the public
As per the policy decision of IGCAR, the meetings of IGCAR are not open to the public and therefore the minutes of the meeting are also not open to the public.
1.7.8 Place where the minutes if open to the public are available?
As per the policy decision of IGCAR, the meetings of IGCAR are not open to the public and therefore the minutes of the meeting are also not open to the public.
1.9.2 System of compensation as provided in its regulations
Apart from the basic pay all the employees are eligible for DA, HRA, TA, PRIS etc. and are granted as per the order issued by DAE / Govt of India.
1.12.1 Educational programmes
Employees of this centre are nominated to the various training Programmes conducted by ATI-DAE , ISTM-New Delhi.
1.12.2 Efforts to encourage public authority to participate in these programmes
Employees of this centre are nominated to the various training Programmes conducted by ATI-DAE , ISTM-New Delhi.
1.12.3 Training of CPIO/APIO
Employees of this centre are nominated to the various training Programmes conducted by ATI-DAE , ISTM-New Delhi.
4.7.1 Details of questions asked and replies given
IGCAR furnishes replies to parliamentary questions to DAE and replies to parliament is furnished by DAE.
2.1.2 Budget for each agency and plan & programmes
Office Order appointing Public Grievance Officer, IGCAR