PARLIAMENT QUESTION: THIRD-PARTY SECURITY AUDITS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Adequate measures are in place to ensure the security of nuclear power plants. Periodic security assessments are conducted both internally and by AERB, at all Nuclear Power Plant sites including Kudankulam. Additionally, assessments of nuclear power plants are also conducted by external Government agencies. The observations made are reviewed; monitored and necessary upgrades are carried out for compliance.

In all nuclear power plants, state of the art security measures are in place. Besides other provisions, Electronic Security and Surveillance systems like Perimeter Intrusion Detection System, Access Control System, X-Ray Baggage Inspection System, CCTV Monitoring System, etc are in place at all operating Nuclear Power Plants. These systems are implemented as an integral part of the Nuclear Power Plants. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) also conducts regulatory inspection in respect of nuclear security of all Nuclear Power Plants.

Cybersecurity of nuclear installations is accorded the highest priority. Continuous monitoring and surveillance mechanisms are in place to detect and respond to cyber threats. Appropriate preventive and protective measures including access controls, regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, incident response mechanisms and capacity-building programmes are implemented. Further, CERT-in enhances the national cyber security posture by issuing alerts and advisory on emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, coordinating incident response and advisory remedial measures to affected organisations and operating the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC).

Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPPs) approved by the regulatory authority are put in place at all Nuclear Power Plant sites including Kudankulam. Periodic exercises are also carried out involving various stakeholders including, local administration, security agencies and nuclear plant authorities. Feedback from the exercises is used to validate and improve the emergency preparedness plans. Presently, off-site emergency preparedness exercises viz. Table Top, Integrated Command, Control & Response (ICCR) & Mock Exercises are carried out once in two years, once in three years and as per NDMA schedule, respectively. The NPP authorities are regularly conducting the exercises at stipulated frequency. The ICCR exercise at Kudankulam NPP site was conducted on 15^th April 2025. All the other NPP sites have also conducted their latest ICCR exercises since September, 2024 till date. For Kalpakkam site, the offsite emergency exercise has been conducted in ICCR (Integrated Command, Control & Response) mode on 17^th July 2026 with the initiating event from PFBR and this exercise involves Participation of District Administration.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Prime Minister's office and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/AK/NM