International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

(Relevant for UPSC Prelims – International Organisations; Mains GS-II – International Relations, Nuclear Policy)

Overview:

• Full Form: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• Founded: 29 July 1957

• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria (at UN Office)

• Membership: 180 Member States

• Current Director General: Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina, since 2019)

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Mandate & Mission (Three Pillars):

1. Peaceful Uses: Promote civilian applications of nuclear energy in power, health, agriculture, water, etc.

2. Safeguards: Ensure nuclear material is not diverted to military purposes (esp. under NPT compliance).

3. Nuclear Safety & Security: Promote safety standards and protect against accidents and misuse.

Legal & Structural Basis:

• Established under its Statute (1957)

• Reports to both the UN General Assembly and Security Council

• Originated from Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" speech (1953)

• Guided by Article II & III of the IAEA Statute

• Awarded Nobel Peace Prize (2005) with then Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei

Organizational Structure:

1. General Conference – All member states; meets annually

2. Board of Governors – 35 members; key policy-making body

3. Secretariat – Headed by Director General; executes functions through 6 departments

Major Departments & Initiatives:

• Nuclear Energy – Advises on nuclear power and fuel cycle

• Nuclear Sciences & Applications – Focuses on agriculture, medicine, water

• Technical Cooperation – Assists developing countries with training, equipment

• Safeguards – Verifies compliance with peaceful use

• Nuclear Safety & Security – Post-Chernobyl and Fukushima emphasis

• Management – Administrative support

Regional Programs:

• AFRA – Africa

• ARASIA – Arab States in Asia

• RCA – Asia-Pacific

• ARCAL – Latin America and Caribbean

Key Global Initiatives:

• PACT – Cancer therapy in developing countries

• ZODIAC – Zoonotic disease control (in partnership with WHO & FAO)

• NUTeC Plastics – Nuclear tech to fight plastic pollution

• NHSI – Regulatory harmonization for small modular nuclear reactors

• Seismic Safety Centre – Established in 2008 for earthquake-prone nuclear regions

2022 Annual Report Highlights:

• Expanded cancer treatment in Africa under Rays of Hope

• Boosted zoonotic disease preparedness under ZODIAC

• Promoted clean energy and climate resilience via NHSI

• Addressed plastic pollution with NUTeC Plastics

Criticism:

• Slow response to Fukushima disaster (2011)

• Mandate conflict: Promotes nuclear energy while also policing it

• Some nations argue IAEA lacks enforcement powers and independence in safety reviews

India and the IAEA:

• India is a full member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1957 (founding year).

• India plays an active role in the agency's governance and technical cooperation programs.

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India’s Safeguards Status:

• India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

• However, after the India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008), India:

  • Voluntarily placed 14 civilian nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards.

  • Signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 2009.

UPSC Relevance:

Prelims:

• IAEA HQ: Vienna, Austria

• Nobel Peace Prize: 2005

• Associated with NPT safeguards

• Three pillars: Peaceful use, Safeguards, Safety

Mains (GS-II):

• Role in non-proliferation and nuclear diplomacy

• India's position on nuclear safeguards and civilian cooperation

• IAEA's role in conflict zones (e.g., Iran, North Korea, Ukraine)