Inspector General Nuclear Safety

Flag Officer Submarines
Flag of the IGNS (Vice Admiral's flag)
Incumbent Vice Admiral A. Y. Sardesai
Indian Navy
Abbreviation	IGNS
Reports to	Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Seat	New Delhi
Formation	9 March 2007
First holder	Vice Admiral K. N. Sushil

The Inspector General Nuclear Safety (IGNS) is a senior appointment in the Indian Navy. A three-star officer holding the rank of vice admiral, the IGNS is responsible for the nuclear and radiation safety of all naval nuclear reactors.

History

With the lead boat of the Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, INS Arihant slated to be launched, billet of Inspector General Nuclear Safety was created on 9 March 2007. ^[1] Vice Admiral K. N. Sushil was the first IGNS. Only submariners have held the appointment. ^[2]

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, the IGNS is responsible for all aspects related to nuclear and radiation safety and inspection of naval nuclear reactors, handling of fissile material and nuclear waste in the Indian Navy. The IGNS is also the competent regulatory authority for naval nuclear plants and infrastructure. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, the IGNS has the powers to lay down safety standards and frame rules and regulations in regard to the regulatory and safety requirement. ^[1]

The IGNS is responsible for induction and acquisition of special projects in the Indian Navy and setting up of related shore-based berthing and support infrastructure. Coordinating with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Atomic Energy, DRDO and the Strategic Forces Command, the IGNS is involved in key policy formulation, and tactical and strategic inputs to ensure nuclear safety of naval nuclear plants.

Structure

The IGNS is responsible for induction and acquisition of special projects in the Indian Navy and setting up of related shore-based berthing and support infrastructure. He is assisted by the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Special Submarine Projects) (ACNS SSP). The Directorates of Nuclear Submarine Acquisition and Nuclear Submarine Project & Infrastructure report into the ACNS (SSP) while the Directorate of Submarine Safety (DSMS) reports directly into the IGNS. ^[3]

See also

• Nuclear Command Authority

References

1. Singh 2018, p. 249.
2. archive, From our online (16 May 2012). "Sushil as chief of Southern Naval Command". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
3. "Staff Branch I". indiannavy.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 26 August 2025.

Bibliography

• Singh, Anup (2018), Blue Waters Ahoy!: The Indian Navy 2001-2010, HarperCollins Publishers India, ISBN   978-9353025526