An exploration of the regulatory regime of the Indian nuclear industry

India has always attached great importance to the development of its nuclear industry. India's nuclear industry started early with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in 1948 and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1954. The current management system in India is that the Prime Minister exercises the highest decision-making power, the Atomic Energy Commission assists the Prime Minister in decision-making; the Department of Atomic Energy is in charge of the nuclear industry; research and development institutions and state-owned enterprises under the Department of Atomic Energy implement specific decisions. The characteristics of India's nuclear industry system are: direct supervision by the Prime Minister and full safeguards; high degree of centralisation and unified management; integration of the military and civilian sectors and the use of the civilian sector as a cover for the military; and adherence to the “"three-step” nuclear energy development route. India's remarkable achievements in the face of a prolonged international embargo are attributable to the nuclear industry management system that has been in place in India for more than 60 years, which is worthy of our reference.