---
title: "Atomic Energy Act, 1962: India's Nuclear Law"
description: "The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 grants India's central government control over atomic energy and is crucial for UPSC candidates studying nuclear policy."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/atomic-energy-act-1962"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 is the Indian statute that vests the central government with control over atomic energy, nuclear materials, and radiation safety.
- What is the constitutional basis of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962?
- How does the Act relate to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board?
- How is the 1962 Act different from the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010?
- Can private companies operate nuclear power plants in India under the Act?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 is the Indian statute that vests the central government with control over atomic energy, nuclear materials, and radiation safety.

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In 2015, the Indian Parliament amended the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to let NPCIL form joint ventures with public undertakings such as NTPC, while still barring private capital from nuclear power generation.

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