The Atomic Energy Act, 1962

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THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962 

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

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SECTIONS 

1. Short title, extent and commencement. 

2. Definitions and interpretation. 

3. General powers of the Central Government. 

4. Notification of discovery of uranium or thorium. 

5. Control over mining or concentration of substances containing uranium. 

6. Disposal of uranium. 

7. Powers to obtain information regarding materials, plant or processes. 

8. Powers of entry and inspection. 

9. Power to do work for discovering minerals. 

10. Compulsory acquisition of rights to work minerals. 

11. Compulsory acquisition of prescribed substances, minerals and plants. 

11A. Removal of doubts. 

12. Compensation in case of compulsory acquisition of a mine. 

13. Novation of certain contracts. 

14. Control over production and use of atomic energy. 

15. Requisitioning of any substance for extracting uranium or plutonium. 

16. Control over radioactive substances. 

17. Special provisions as to safety. 

18. Restriction on disclosure of information. 

19. Prevention of entry into prohibited areas. 

20. Special Provisions as to inventions. 

21. Principles relating to payment of compensation. 

22. Special provisions as to electricity. 

23. Administration of Factories Act, 1948. 

24. Offences and penalties. 

25. Offences by companies. 

26. Cognizance of offences. 

27. Delegation of powers. 

28. Effect of other laws 

29. Protection of action taken in good faith. 

30. Power to make rules. 

31. Act binding on Government. 

32. [Repealed.] 



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THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT, 1962 

ACT 33 OF 1962 

[15th September, 1962.] 

An Act to provide for the development, control and use of atomic energy for the welfare of the 

people of India and for other peaceful purposes and for matters connected therewith. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Atomic Energy                   

Act, 1962. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India. 

(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the 

Official Gazette, appoint. 

 2. Definitions and interpretation.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “atomic energy” means energy released from atomic nuclei as a result of any process, 

including the fission and fusion processes; 

(b) “fissile material” means uranium 233, uranium 235, plutonium or any material containing 

these substances or any other material that may be declared as such by notification by the Central 

Government; 

2[(b) “Government company” means a company in which not less than fifty-one per cent. of the 

paid up share capital is held by the Central Government;] 

(c) “minerals” include all substances obtained or obtainable from the soil (including alluvium or 

rocks) by underground or surface working; 

(d) “notification” means notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(e) “Plant” includes machinery, equipment or appliance, whether affixed to land or not; 

(f) “prescribed equipment” means any property which the Central Government may, by 

notification, prescribe, being a property which in its opinion is specially designed or adapted or which 

is used or intended to be used for the production or utilisation of any prescribed substance, or for the 

production or utilisation of atomic energy, radioactive substances, or radiation, but does not include 

mining, milling, laboratory and other equipment not so specially designed or adapted and not 

incorporated in equipment used or intended to be used for any of the purposes aforesaid; 

(g) “prescribed substance” means any substance including any mineral which the Central 

Government may, by notification, prescribe, being a substance which in its opinion is or may be used 

for the production or use of atomic energy or research into matters connected therewith and includes 

uranium, plutonium, thorium, beryllium, deuterium or any of their respective derivatives or 

compounds or any other materials containing any of the aforesaid substances; 

(h) “radiation” means gamma rays, X-rays, and rays consisting of alpha particles, beta particles, 

neutrons, protons and other nuclear and sub-atomic particles; but not sound or radio waves, or visible, 

infrared or ultraviolet light; 

(i) “radioactive substance” or “radioactive material” means any substance or material which 

spontaneously emits radiation in excess of the levels prescribed by notification by the Central 

Government. 

                                                           
1. 21st September, 1962, vide notification No. G.S.R. 1254, dated 18th September, 1962, see Gazette of India, 

Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3 (i). 

2. Clause (bb) shall stand substitute (date to be notified) by Act 5 of 2016, s. 2, to read as under:— 

(bb) “Government company” means a company in which— 

(i) not less than fifty-one per cent. of the paid-up share capital is held by the Central Government; or 

(ii) the whole of the paid-up share capital is held by one or more of the companies specified in sub-clause (i) and 

which, by its articles of association, empowers the Central Government to constitute and reconstitute  its Board of 

Directors. 



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(2) Any reference in this Act to the working of minerals shall be construed as including a reference to 

the mining, getting, carrying away, transporting, sorting, extracting or otherwise treating of minerals. 

(3) Any reference in this Act to the production or use of atomic energy shall be construed as including 

a reference to the carrying out of any process, preparatory or ancillary to such production or use. 

3. General powers of the Central Government.—Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central 

Government shall have power— 

(a) to produce, develop, use and dispose of atomic energy 1[either by itself or through any 

authority or corporation established by it or a Government company] and carry out research into any 

matters connected therewith; 

2[(b) to manufacture or otherwise produce any prescribed or radioactive substance and any 

articles which in its opinion are, or are likely to be, required for or in connection with, the production, 

development or use of atomic energy or such research as aforesaid and to dispose of such prescribed 

or radioactive substance or any articles manufactured or otherwise produced; 

(bb) (i) to buy or otherwise acquire, store and transport any prescribed or radioactive 

substance and any articles which in its opinion are, or are likely to be, required for, or in 

connection with, the production, development or use of atomic energy; and 

(ii) to dispose of such prescribed or radioactive substance or any articles bought or otherwise 

acquired by it, 

either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it, or a Government company;] 

(c) to declare as “restricted information” any information not so far published or otherwise made 

public relating to— 

(i) the location, quality and quantity of prescribed substances and transactions for their 

acquisition, whether by purchase or otherwise, or disposal, whether by sale or otherwise; 

(ii) the processing or prescribed substances and the extraction or production of fissile 

materials from them; 

(iii) the theory, design, construction and operation of plants for the treatment and production 

of any of the prescribed substances and for the separation or isotopes; 

(iv) the theory, design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors; 

(v) research and technological work on materials and processes involved in or derived from 

items (i) to (iv); 

(d) to declare as “prohibited area” any area or premises where work including research, design or 

development is carried on in respect of the production, treatment, use, application or disposal of 

atomic energy or of any prescribed substances; 

(e) to provide for control over radioactive substances or radiation generating plant in order to— 

(i) prevent radiation hazards; 

(ii) secure public safety and safety or persons handling radioactive substances or radiation 

generating plant; and 

(iii) ensure safe disposal of radioactive wastes; 

(f) to provide for the production and supply of electricity from atomic energy and for taking 

measures conducive to such production and supply and for all matters incidental thereto 1[either by 

itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or a Government company]; and 

                                                           
1. Ins. by Act 29 of 1987, s. 3 (w.e.f. 8-9-1987).  

2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 8-9-1987).  



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(g) to do all such things (including the erection of buildings and execution of works and the 

working of minerals) as the Central Government considers necessary or expedient for the exercise of 

the foregoing powers. 

4. Notification of discovery of uranium or thorium.—(1) Every person who, whether before or 

after the commencement of this Act, has discovered or discovers that uranium or thorium occurs at any 

place in India shall, within three months after the date of commencement of this Act or after the 

discovery, whichever is later, report the discovery in writing to the Central Government or to any person 

or authority authorised by the Central Government in this behalf. 

(2) Every person who has reason to believe that uranium or thorium occurs at any place in India shall, 

without delay, send intimation of such belief and the reasons therefor to the Central Government or to any 

such person or authority as aforesaid. 

 5. Control over mining or concentration of substances containing uranium.—(1) If the Central 

Government is satisfied that any person is mining or is about to mine any substance from which, in the 

opinion of the Central Government, uranium can be or may reasonably be expected to be, isolated or 

extracted, or is engaged or is about to be engaged in treating or concentrating by any physical, chemical 

or metallurgical process any substance from which, in the opinion of the Central Government, uranium 

can be or may reasonably be expected to be, isolated or extracted, the Central Government may be notice 

in writing given to that person either— 

(a) require him in conducting the mining operations or in treating or concentrating the substance 

aforesaid to comply with such terms and conditions and adopt such processes as the Central 

Government may in the notice, or from time to time thereafter, think fit to specify, or 

(b) totally prohibit him from conducting the mining operations or treating or concentrating the 

substance aforesaid. 

(2) Where any terms and conditions are imposed on any person conducting any mining operations or 

treating or concentrating any substance under clause (a) of sub-section (1), the Central Government may, 

having regard to the nature of the terms and conditions, decide as to whether or not to pay any 

compensation to that person and the decision of the Central Government shall be final: 

Provided that where the Central Government decides not to pay any compensation, it shall record in 

writing a brief statement giving the reasons for such decision. 

(3) Where the Central Government decides to pay any compensation under sub-section (2), the 

amount thereof shall be determined in accordance with section 21 but in calculating the compensation 

payable, no account shall be taken of the value of any uranium contained in the substance referred to in 

sub-section (1). 

(4) Where any mining operation or any process of treatment or concentration of any substance is 

prohibited under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the Central Government shall pay compensation to the 

person conducting the mining operations or using the process of treatment or concentration and the 

amount of such compensation shall be determined in accordance with section 21 but in calculating the 

compensation payable, no account shall be taken of the value of any uranium contained in the substance. 

6. Disposal of uranium.—(1) No minerals, concentrates and other materials which contain uranium 

in its natural state in excess of such proportion as may be prescribed by notification by the Central 

Government shall be disposed of except with the previous permission in writing of the Central 

Government and in accordance with such terms and conditions as it may impose. 

(2) The Central Government may serve notice on any person who has produced any mineral, 

concentrate or other material referred to in sub-section (1) that the Central Government 1[proposes to 

compulsorily acquire it and upon the service of the notice], the mineral, concentrate or other material 

shall become the property of the Central Government and shall be delivered to the Central Government or 

as it may direct: 

                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 59 of 1986, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 21-9-1962),  



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1*   *   *   *   * 

2[(3) Compensation in respect of acquisition under sub-section (2) shall be paid in accordance with 

section 21 and in determining such compensation regard shall be had to the cost of production of such 

mineral, concentrate or other material and such other factors as may be relevant but no account shall be 

taken of the value of uranium in its natural state contained therein.] 

7. Powers to obtain information regarding materials, plant or processes.—The Central 

Government may, by notice in writing served on any person, require him to make such periodical and 

other returns, or statements at such times and containing such particulars and accompanied by such plans, 

drawings, and other documents as may be specified in the notice relating to— 

(a) any prescribed substance, specified in the notice, in his possession or under his control or 

present in or on any land or mine owned or occupied by him which in the opinion of the Central 

Government is or can be a source of any of the prescribed substances, including returns in respect of 

any such land or mine; 

(b) any plant in his possession or under his control designed for mining or processing of minerals 

so specified, or adapted for the production or use of atomic energy or research into matters connected 

therewith; 

(c) any contract entered into by him or any licence granted by or to him relating to prospecting or 

mining of minerals so specified or the production or use of atomic energy or research into matters 

connected therewith; 

(d) any other information in his possession relating to any work carried out by him or on his 

behalf or under his directions, in connection with prospecting or mining of materials so specified or 

the production or use of atomic energy or research into matters connected therewith. 

8. Power of entry and inspection.—(1) Any person authorised by the Central Government may, on 

producing, if so required, a duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter any mine, premises 

or land— 

(a) where he has reason to believe that work is being carried out for the purpose of or in 

connection with production and processing of any prescribed substances or substances from which a 

prescribed substance can be obtained or production, development or use of atomic energy or research 

into matters connected therewith, or 

(b) where any such plant as is mentioned in clause (b) of section 7 is situate, 

and may inspect the mine, premises or land and any articles contained therein. 

(2) The person carrying out the inspection may make copies of or extracts from any drawing, plan or 

other document found in the mine, premises or land and for the purpose of making such copies or 

extracts, may remove any such drawing, plan or other document after giving a duly signed receipt for the 

same and retain possession thereof for a period not exceeding seven days. 

 9. Power to do work for discovering minerals.—(1) The Central Government may, subject to the 

provisions of this section, do on, over or below the surface of any land such work as it considers 

necessary for the purpose of discovering whether there is present in or on the land, either in a natural state 

or in a deposit of waste material obtained from any underground or surface working, any substance from 

which in its opinion any of the prescribed substances can be obtained, and the extent to which such 

substance is so present. 

(2) Before any powers are exercised under sub-section (1) in relation to any land, the Central 

Government shall serve on every owner, lessee and occupier of the land a notice in writing specifying the 

nature of the work proposed to be done and the extent of the land affected, and the time, not being less 

than twenty-eight days, within which and the manner in which objections can be made thereto, and no 

such powers shall be exercised otherwise than in pursuance of the notice or before the expiration of the 

time specified therein for making objections. 

                                                           
1. The proviso omitted by Act 59 of 1986, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-9-1962).  

2. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 21-9-1962).  



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(3) The Central Government may, after giving the person making the objection an opportunity of 

appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Central Government for the purpose, and 

after considering any such objection and the report of the person so appointed, make such orders as it may 

deem proper but not so as to increase the extent of the land affected. 

(4) Compensation shall be determined and paid in accordance with section 21 in respect of any 

diminution in the value of any land or property situate thereon resulting from the exercise of powers 

under this section. 

10. Compulsory acquisition of rights to work minerals.—(1) Where it appears to the Central 

Government that any minerals from which in its opinion any of the prescribed substances can be obtained 

are present in or on any land, either in a natural state or in a deposit of waste material obtained from any 

underground or surface working, it may by order provide for compulsorily vesting in the Central 

Government the exclusive right, so long as the order remains in force to work those minerals and any 

other minerals which it appears to the Central Government to be necessary to work with those minerals, 

and may also provide, by that order or a subsequent order, for compulsorily vesting in the Central 

Government any other ancillary rights which appear to the Central Government to be necessary for the 

purpose of working the minerals aforesaid including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 

provisions) — 

(a) rights to withdraw support; 

(b) rights necessary for the purpose of access to or conveyance of the minerals aforesaid or the 

ventilation or drainage of the working; 

(c) rights to use and occupy the surface of any land for the purpose of erecting any necessary 

buildings and installing any necessary plant in connection with the working of the minerals aforesaid; 

(d) rights to use and occupy for the purpose of working the minerals aforesaid any land forming 

part of or used in connection with an existing mine or quarry, and to use or acquire any plant used in 

connection with any such mine or quarry; and 

(e) rights to obtain a supply or water for any of the purposes connected with the working of the 

minerals aforesaid, or to dispose of water or other liquid matter obtained in consequence of working 

such minerals. 

(2) Notice of any order proposed to be made under this section shall be served by the Central 

Government— 

(a) on all persons who, but for the order, would be entitled to work the minerals affected; and 

(b) on every owner, lessee and occupier (except tenants for a month or for less than a month) of 

any land in respect of which rights are proposed to be acquired under the order. 

(3) Compensation in respect of any right acquired under this section shall be paid in accordance with 

section 21, but in calculating the compensation payable, no account shall be taken of the value of any 

minerals present in or on land affected by the order, being minerals specified in the order as those from 

which in the opinion of the Central Government uranium or any concentrate or derivative of uranium can 

be obtained. 

11. Compulsory acquisition of prescribed substances, minerals and plants.—(1) Save as 

otherwise provided in any other provision of this Act, the Central Government may compulsorily acquire 

in accordance with the provisions of this section— 

(a) any prescribed substance; 

(b) any minerals from which in the opinion of the Central Government any of the prescribed 

substances can be obtained; 

(c) any prescribed equipment; 



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(d) any plant which is designed or adapted for the mining or processing of any minerals referred 

to in clause (b) or substances obtained therefrom or for the production or use of any prescribed 

substance or a radioactive substance or for the production, use or disposal of such articles as are or 

are likely to be required for or in connection with the production, use or disposal of atomic energy or 

for research into matters connected therewith. 

(2) Where the Central Government acquires any plant referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1), it 

shall also have the right to acquire any buildings, railway sidings, tramway lines, or aerial ropeways 

serving such plant. 

(3) Where the Central Government proposes to acquire any property under sub-section (1), it shall 

serve upon the person appearing to be the owner thereof, a notice in writing specifying the property to be 

acquired and requiring that person to make to the Central Government within the time specified in the 

notice a written declaration containing such particulars as may be so specified regarding the ownership of 

such property and any agreement or charge by virtue of which any other person has an interest in such 

property. 

(4) Upon the service of a notice under sub-section (3), no property to which the notice relates shall be 

disposed of without the previous permission in writing of the Central Government. 

(5) If it appears to the Central Government in consequence of any written declaration made to                 

it in pursuance of sub-section (3) that any person other than the person on whom the notice under                   

sub-section (3) was served is the owner of, or has any interest in, the property to which the notice relates, 

the Central Government shall serve a copy of the notice on that other person. 

(6) A notice served under sub-section (3) shall contain a statement to the effect that an objection may 

be made thereto within such time and in such manner as may be specified, and if any such objection is 

duly made and not withdrawn, the Central Government shall afford an opportunity to the person making 

the objection of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Central Government for 

the purpose. 

(7) After considering any such objection, and the report of the person appointed by it under                    

sub-section (6), the Central Government may serve on the persons upon whom the notice under            

sub-section (3) or a copy thereof was served a further notice in writing either withdrawing the notice of 

acquisition or confirming the said notice as respects the property to which it relates or such part of the 

property as may be specified. 

(8) Any property with respect to which a notice of acquisition is served under this section shall— 

(a) if no objection is duly made to the notice, vest in the Central Government at the expiration of 

the time for making such objection; 

(b) if such an objection is duly made and the notice is confirmed as respect the whole or any part 

of that property by a notice served under sub-section (7), vest accordingly in the Central Government 

on the service of the last mentioned notice; 

and shall in either case vest free from all encumbrances. 

(9) Compensation in respect of acquisition under this section shall be paid in accordance with            

section 21. 

1[11A. Removal of doubts.— For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the compulsory 

acquisition of any mineral, concentrate or other material under sub-section (2) of section 6, or of any 

substance, minerals, equipment or plant under sub-section (1) of section 11, shall not be deemed to be a 

sale for any purpose whatsoever.] 

                                                           
1. Ins. by Act 59 of 1986, s. 3 (w.e.f. 21-9-1962).  



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12. Compensation in case of compulsory acquisition of a mine.—Where the Central Government 

acquires, in accordance with any law, any mine or part of a mine from which in the opinion of the Central 

Government any of the prescribed substances can be obtained, compensation in respect of such 

acquisition shall be paid in accordance with section 21: 

Provided that in determining the amount of such compensation, no account shall be taken of the value 

of uranium which may be obtained from such mine or part of a mine. 

13. Novation of certain contracts.—(1) The Central Government may serve on the parties to a 

contract relating to prospecting or mining of any substance from which any of the prescribed substances 

can be obtained or to production or use of atomic energy or to research into matters connected therewith, 

not being a contract for the rendering of personal services, a notice in writing stating that on such date as 

may be specified in the notice the rights and liabilities of any of the parties to the contract specified in the 

notice (hereinafter referred to as the specified party) will be transferred to the Central Government, and 

thereupon subject to any withdrawal of the notice under the following provisions of this section, the 

contract shall, as regards any rights exercisable, or liabilities incurred, on or after the said date, have 

effects as if the Central Government were a party to the contract instead of the specified party and as if 

for any reference in the contract to the specified party there were substituted a reference to the Central 

Government. 

(2) A notice served under sub-section (1) shall contain a statement to the effect that an objection may 

be made thereto within such time and in such manner as may be specified, and if any such objection is 

duly made and not withdrawn, the Central Government shall afford an opportunity to the person making 

the objection of appearing before and being heard by person appointed by the Central Government for the 

purpose. 

(3) After considering any such objection and the report of the person appointed by it under                     

sub-section (2), the Central Government may make such order as it may deem proper. 

(4) Where the rights and liabilities of a party to a contract are transferred to the Central Government 

under this section, there shall be paid to that party such compensation in respect of any loss suffered by 

that party as may be agreed between him and the Central Government, and in default of such agreement, 

as may be determined by arbitration. 

14. Control over production and use of atomic energy.—(1) The Central Government may, subject 

to such rules as may be made in this behalf, by order prohibit except under a licence granted by it— 

(i) the working of any mine or minerals specified in the order, being a mine or minerals from 

which in the opinion of the Central Government any of the prescribed substances can be obtained; 

(ii) the acquisition, production, possession, use, disposal, export or import— 

(a) of any of the prescribed substances; or 

(b) of any minerals or other substances specified in the rules, from which in the opinion of the 

Central Government any of the prescribed substances can be obtained; or 

(c) of any plant designed or adopted or manufactured for the production, development and 

use of atomic energy or for research into matters connected therewith; or 

(d) of any prescribed equipment. 

1[(1A) No licence under sub-clause (c) of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) shall be granted to a person 

other than a Department of the Central Government or any authority or an institution or a corporation 

established by the Central Government, or a Government company. 

(1B) Any licence granted to a Government company under sub-section (1) shall stand cancelled in 

case the licensee ceases to be a Government company and, notwithstanding anything contained in any 

other law for the time being in force, all assets thereof shall vest in the Central Government free from any 

liability and the Central Government shall take such measures for safe operation of the plant and disposal 

of nuclear material so vested in it, as may be necessary in accordance with the provisions of section 3.] 

                                                           
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2016, s. 3 (date to be notified). 



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(2) Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of the Central Government to refuse a licence for 

the purpose of this section or to include in a licence such conditions as the Central Government thinks fit 

or to revoke a licence and the Central Government may take any action as aforesaid. 

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the rules referred to in this section 

may provide for— 

(a) the extent to which information in the possession of, or which has been made available to, the 

person granted a licence for purposes of this section, should be regarded as restricted information; 

(b) the extent to which the area or premises under the control of the person to whom a licence has 

been granted for purposes of this section, should be regarded as a prohibited area; 

(c) the conditions and criteria for location of any installation or operation of any plant in respect 

of which a licence has been granted or is intended to be granted for the purposes of this section 

including those necessary for protection against radiation and safe disposal of harmful by-products or 

wastes; 

(d) the extent of the licensee’s liability in respect of any hurt to any person or any damage to 

property caused by ionising radiations or any radioactive contamination either at the plant under 

licence or in the surrounding area; 

(e) provision by licensee either by insurance or by such other means as the Central Government 

may approve, of sufficient funds to be available at all times to ensure settlement of any claims in 

connection with the use of the site or the plant under licence which have been or may be duly 

established against the licensee in respect of any hurt to any person or any damage to any property 

caused by ionising radiations emitted at the plant under licence or radioactive contamination either at 

the plant under licence or in surrounding areas; 

(f) obligatory qualifications, security clearances, hours of employment, minimum leave and 

periodical medical examination of the persons employed and any other requirement or restriction or 

prohibition on the employer, employed persons and other persons; and 

(g) such other incidental and supplementary provisions including provisions for inspection and 

also for the sealing or premises and seizure, retention and disposal of any article in respect of which 

there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a contravention of the rules has been committed, as 

the Central Government considers necessary. 

(4) The Central Government may also prescribe the fees payable for issue of licences under                    

sub-section (1). 

15. Requisitioning of any substance for extracting uranium or plutonium.—(1) The Central 

Government shall have the right to require that any substance which, in the opinion of the Central 

Government, contains uranium, plutonium or any of their isotopes, shall be delivered to it and the Central 

Government may extract from that substance the uranium, plutonium or any of their isotopes contained 

therein and return the substance to the person concerned on payment of compensation which shall be 

determined in accordance with section 21: 

Provided that such compensation shall not, in any case, exceed the cost incurred by the person in the 

production, mining or irradiation of the substance and in determining the same no account shall be taken 

on the value of the uranium, plutonium or any of their isotopes extracted from the substance. 

(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Central Government from permitting, subject to such 

conditions as it may deem fit to impose, the use of small quantities of natural uranium for the purpose of 

examination, test or analysis. 

16. Control over radioactive substances.—The Central Government may prohibit the manufacture, 

possession, use, transfer by sale or otherwise, export and import and in any emergency, transport and 

disposal, of any radioactive substances without its written consent. 

17. Special provisions as to safety.—(1) The Central Government may, as regards any class or 

description of premises or places, being premises, or places, in which radioactive substances are 

manufactured, produced, mined, treated, stored or used or any radiation generating plant, equipment or 

appliance is used, make such provision by rules as appear to the Central Government to be necessary— 

(a) to prevent injury being caused to the health of persons employed at such premises or places or 

other persons either by radiations, or by the ingestion of any radioactive substance; 



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(b) to secure that any radioactive waste products resulting from such manufacture, production, 

mining, treatment, storage, or use as aforesaid are disposed of safely; 

(c) to prescribe qualifications of the persons for employment at such premises or places and the 

regulation of their hours of employment, minimum leave and periodical medical examination; 

and the rules may, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of this sub-section, provide for 

imposing requirements as to the erection or structural alterations of buildings or the carrying out of works. 

(2) The Central Government may, as respects the transport of any radioactive substance or any 

prescribed substance specified by an order issued under this Act as being dangerous to health, make such 

rules as appear to be necessary to prevent injury being caused by such transport to the health of persons 

engaged therein and other persons. 

(3) Rules made under this section may provide for imposing requirements, prohibitions and 

restrictions on employers, employed persons and other persons. 

(4) Any person authorised by the Central Government under this section, may, on producing, if so 

required, a duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter at all reasonable hours any premises, 

or any vehicle, vessel or aircraft for the purpose of ascertaining whether there has been committed, or is 

being committed, in or in connection with the premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, any contravention of 

the rules made under this section. 

(5) In the event of any contravention of the rules made under this section, the Central Government 

shall have the right to take such measures as it may deem necessary to prevent further injury to persons or 

damage to property arising from radiation or contamination by radioactive substances including, without 

prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, and to the right to take further action for the 

enforcement of penalties under section 24, the sealing or premises, vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, and the 

seizure of radioactive substances and contaminated equipment. 

18. Restriction on disclosure of information.—(1) The Central Government may by order restrict 

the disclosure of information, whether contained in a document, drawing, photograph, plan, model, or in 

any other form whatsoever, which relates to, represents or illustrates— 

(a) an existing or proposed plant used or proposed to be used for the purpose of producing, 

developing or using atomic energy, or 

(b) the purpose or method of operation of any such existing or proposed plant, or 

(c) any process operated or proposed to be operated in any such existing or proposed plant. 

(2) No person shall— 

(a) disclose, or obtain or attempt to obtain any information restricted under sub-section (1), or 

(b) disclose, without the authority of the Central Government, any information obtained in the 

discharge of any functions under this Act or in the performance of his official duties. 

(3) Nothing in this section shall apply— 

(i) to the disclosure of information with respect to any plant of a type in use for purposes other 

than the production, development or use of atomic energy, unless the information disclose that plant 

of that type is used or proposed to be used for the production, development or use of atomic energy or 

research into any matters connected therewith; or 

(ii) where any information has been made available to the general public otherwise than in 

contravention of this section, to any subsequent disclosure of that information. 

19. Prevention of entry into prohibited areas.—The Central Government may by order prohibit— 

(a) entry of any person, without obtaining permission, into a prohibited area, and 

(b) taking by any persons, without permission, of any photograph, sketch, pictures, drawing, map 

or other document from a prohibited area and any permission, if given to do these things, may be 

subject to stipulations which the Central Government may consider necessary. 



11 

20. Special Provisions as to inventions.—(1) As from the commencement of this Act, no patents 

shall be granted for inventions which in the opinion of the Central Government are useful for or relate to 

the production, control, use or disposal of atomic energy or the prospecting, mining, extraction, 

production, physical and chemical treatment, fabrication, enrichment, canning or use of any prescribed 

substance or radioactive substance or the ensuring of safety in atomic energy operations. 

(2) The prohibition under sub-section (1) shall also apply to any invention of the nature specified in 

that sub-section in respect of which an application for the grant of a patent has been made to the 

Controller of Patents and Designs appointed under the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911 (2 of 1911), 

before the commencement of this Act and is pending with him at such commencement. 

(3) The Central Government shall have the power to inspect at any time any pending patent 

application and specification before its acceptance and if it considers that the invention relates to atomic 

energy, to issue directions to the Controller of Patents and Designs to refuse the application on that 

ground. 

(4) Any person, who has made an invention which he has reason to believe relates to atomic energy, 

shall communicate to the Central Government the nature and description of the invention. 

(5) Any person desiring to apply for a patent abroad for an invention relating to or which he has 

reason to believe relates to atomic energy shall obtain prior permission from the Central Government 

before making the application abroad or communicating the invention to any person abroad, unless three 

months have elapsed since his request for permission was made to the Central Government and no reply 

was received by him. 

(6) The Controller of Patents and Designs shall have the power to refer any application to the Central 

Government for direction as to whether the invention is one relating to atomic energy and the direction 

given by the Central Government shall be final. 

(7) Any invention in the field of atomic energy conceived whether in establishments controlled by the 

Central Government or under any contract, sub-contract, arrangement or other relationship with the 

Central Government shall be deemed to have been made or conceived by the Central Government, 

irrespective of whether such contract, sub-contract, arrangement or other relationship involves financial 

participation of or assistance from the Central Government. 

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911 (2 of 1911), the 

decision of the Central Government on points connected with or arising out of this section shall be final. 

21. Principles relating to payment of compensation.—(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, 

where by reason of exercise of any powers under this Act, any compensation is payable, the amount of 

such compensation shall be determined in the manner and in accordance with the principles hereinafter 

set out, that is to say— 

(a) where the amount of compensation is fixed by agreement, it shall be paid in accordance with 

such agreement; 

(b) where no such agreement is reached, the Central Government shall appoint as arbitrator a 

person having expert knowledge as to the nature of the right affected who shall determine the amount 

of compensation payable. 

(2) In making his award, the arbitrator appointed under sub-section (1) shall have regard— 

(a) in the case of any compensation payable under section 9— 

(i) to the nature of the work done; 

(ii) the manner, extent and duration of the exercise of any powers under that section; 

(iii) the diminution in the rent of the land and of the property situated thereon, which might 

reasonably be expected over any period or diminution in the market value of the land and 

property on the date when the exercise of powers comes to an end; and 

(iv) the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 23 of the Land Acquisition                                    

Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), in so far as such provisions can be made applicable to the exercise of 

powers under section 9; and 



12 

(b) in the case of any compensation payable under section 11 or under section 12, to the price 

which the owner might reasonably have been expected to obtain on a sale of the property effected by 

him immediately before the date of the acquisition. 

(3) An appeal shall lie to the High Court against an award of the arbitrator except in cases where the 

amount claimed thereof does not exceed an amount prescribed in this behalf by the Central Government. 

(4) The Central Government may make rules prescribing the procedure to be followed in arbitrations 

under this Act and the principles to be followed in the apportionment of the cost of proceedings before the 

arbitrator and on appeal. 

(5) Save as provided in this Act, nothing in any law for the time being in force relating to arbitration 

shall apply to arbitrations under this Act. 

 22. Special provision as to electricity.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Electricity 

(Supply) Act, 1948 (54 of 1948), the Central Government shall have authority— 

(a) to develop a sound and adequate national policy in regard to atomic power, to co-ordinate 

such policy with the Central Electricity Authority and the State Electricity Boards constituted under 

sections 3 and 5 respectively of that Act and other similar statutory corporations concerned with the 

control and utilisation of other power resources, to implement schemes for the generation of 

electricity in pursuance of such policy and to operate 1[,either by itself or through any authority or 

corporation established by it or a Government company,] atomic power stations in the manner 

determined by it in consultation with the Boards or Corporations concerned, with whom it shall enter 

into agreement regarding the supply or electricity so produced; 

(b) to fix rates for and regulate the supply of electricity from atomic power stations 2[either by 

itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or a Government company, in 

consultation with] of the Central Electricity Authority; 

(c) to enter into arrangements with the Electricity Board of the State in which an atomic power 

station is situated 1[either by itself or through any authority or corporation established by it or 

a Government company] for the transmission of electricity to any other State: 

Provided that in case there is difference of opinion between the Central Government 1[or such 

authority or corporation or Government company, as the case may be,] and any State Electricity Board in 

regard to the construction of necessary transmission lines, the matter shall be referred to the Central 

Electricity Authority whose decision shall be binding on the parties concerned. 

(2) No provision of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 (9 of 1910), or any rule made thereunder or of 

any instrument having effect by virtue of such law or rule shall have any effect so far as it is inconsistent 

with any of the provisions of this Act. 

(3) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and                   

not in derogation of, the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 (9 of 1910), and the Electricity (Supply)                         

Act, 1948 (54 of 1948). 

23. Administration of Factories Act, 1948.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Factories 

Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), the authority to administer the said Act and to do all things for the enforcement of 

its provisions, including the appointment of inspecting staff and the making of rules thereunder, shall vest 

in the Central Government in relation to any factory owned by the Central Government 3[or any authority 

or corporation established by it or a Government company] and engaged in carrying out the purposes of 

this Act. 

24. Offences and penalties.—(1) Whoever— 

(a) contravenes any order made under section 14 or any condition subject to which a licence is 

granted under that section; or 

(b) contravenes any rule made under section 17 or any requirement, prohibition or restriction 

imposed under any such rule; or 

                                                           
1.  Ins. by Act 29 of 1987, s. 4 (w.e.f. 8-9-1987).  

2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “with the concurrence of” (w.e.f. 8-9-1987).  

3. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 8-9-1987).  



13 

(c) obstructs any person authorised by the Central Government under sub-section (4) of                

section 17 in the exercise of powers under that sub-section; or 

(d) contravenes sub-section (2) of section 18; 

shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with 

both. 

(2) Whoever— 

(a) fails to comply with any notice served on him under Section 5 or with any terms and 

conditions that may be imposed on him under that section; or 

(b) fails to comply with any notice served on him under Section 7 or knowingly makes any untrue 

statement in any return or statement made in pursuance of any such notice; or 

(c) obstructs any person or authority in the exercise of powers under Section 8 or 9; or 

(d) contravenes any other provision of this Act or any order made there under; 

shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with 

both. 

25. Offences by companies.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a 

company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible 

to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company, shall be deemed 

to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly: 

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any 

punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all 

due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where any offence under this Act has been 

committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or 

connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other 

officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary, or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of 

that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,— 

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm and other association of 

individuals; and 

(b) “director” in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm. 

26. Cognizance of offences.—(1) All offences under this Act shall be cognizable under the Code of 

Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), but no action shall be taken in respect of any person for any 

offence under this Act except on the basis of a written complaint made— 

(a) in respect of contravention of section 8, 14 or 17 or any rule or order made thereunder, by the 

person authorised to exercise powers of entry and inspection; 

(b) in respect of any other contravention, by a person duly authorised to make such complaints by 

the Central Government. 

(2) Proceedings in respect of contravention of section 18 shall not be instituted except with the 

consent of the Attorney General of India. 

27. Delegation of powers.—The Central Government may, by order, direct that any power conferred 

or any duty imposed on it by this Act shall, in such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may 

be specified in the direction, be exercised or discharged also by— 

(a) such officer or authority subordinate to the Central Government, or 



14 

(b) such State Government or such officer or authority subordinate to a State Government as may 

be specified in the direction. 

28. Effect of other laws.—The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything 

inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment other than this Act or any other instrument having 

effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Act. 

29. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall 

lie against the Government or any person or authority in respect of anything done by it or him in good 

faith in pursuance of this Act or of any rule of order made thereunder. 

30. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for 

carrying out the purposes of this Act. 

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may 

provide for— 

(a) declaring any information not so far published or otherwise made public as restricted 

information and prescribing the measures to be taken to guard against unauthorised dissemination or 

use thereof; 

(b) declaring any area or premises as prohibited area and prescribing the measures to be taken to 

provide against unauthorised entry into or departure from such prohibited area; 

(c) reporting of information relating to the discovery of uranium, thorium and other prescribed 

substances and for payment of rewards for such discoveries; 

(d) control over mining or concentration of substances containing uranium; 

(e) regulating by licensing and encouraging by award of concessions including rewards, floor 

prices and guarantees, mining of and prospecting for other prescribed substances; 

(f) compulsory acquisition of prescribed substances, minerals and plants; 

(g) regulating the production, import, export, transfer, refining, possession, ownership, sale, use 

or disposal of the prescribed substances and any other articles that in the opinion of the Central 

Government may be used for, or may result as a consequence of, the production, use or application of 

atomic energy; 

(h) regulating the use of prescribed equipment; 

(i) regulating the manufacture, custody, transport, transfer, sale, export, import, use or disposal of 

any radioactive substance; 

(j) regulating the transport of such prescribed substances as are declared dangerous to health 

under sub-section (2) of section 17; 

(k) developing, controlling, supervising and licensing the production, application and use of 

atomic energy; 

(l) fees for issue of licences under this Act; 

(m) the manner of serving notices under this Act; 

(n) generally promoting co-operation among person, institutions and countries in the production, 

use, application of atomic energy and in research and investigations in that field. 

(3) Rules made under this Act may provide that a contravention of the rules shall, save as otherwise 

expressly provided in this Act, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. 

(4) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made, before each House 

of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session 

or in two or more successive sessions, and if 1[before the expiry of the session immediately following the 

session] or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or 

both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such 

                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule, for “before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid” (w.e.f. 15-5-1986).  



15 

modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment 

shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 

31. Act binding on Government.—The provisions of this Act shall be binding on Government. 

32. [Repeal of Act 29 of 1948].—Rep. by Repealing and Amending Act, 1974 (56 of 1974), s. 2 and 

the First Schedule (w.e.f. 20-12-1974).