| Department of Atomic Energy | |
| Native Name R: | Hindi: Paramāṇu Ūrjā Vibhāga |
| Type: | Department |
| Jurisdiction: | Government of India |
| Headquarters: | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1] |
| Budget: | (2023-24 est)[2] |
| Minister1 Name: | Narendra Modi |
| Minister1 Pfo: | Prime Minister |
| Deputyminister1 Name: | Jitendra Singh |
| Deputyminister1 Pfo: | Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy |
| Chief1 Name: | Ajit Kumar Mohanty |
| Chief1 Position: | Secretary of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission |
| Parent Agency: | Prime Minister's Office |
| Child1 Agency: | Atomic Energy Commission |
| Child2 Agency: | Atomic Energy Regulatory Board |
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) (IAST: Paramāṇu Ūrjā Vibhāga) is an Indian government department with headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.[3] DAE was established in 1954 with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first minister and Homi Bhabha as its secretary.[4]
DAE has been engaged in the development of nuclear power technology, applications of radiation technologies in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic research. DAE comprises five research centres, three industrial organisations, five public sector undertakings and three service organisations. It has under its aegis two boards for promoting and funding extramural research in nuclear and allied fields, mathematics and a national institute (deemed university). It also supports eight institutes of international repute engaged in research in basic sciences, astronomy, astrophysics, cancer research and education. It also has in its fold an educational society that provides educational facilities for children of DAE employees.
The important programmes of the DAE are directed towards: