Established in 1957, with headquarters at Vienna, Austria.
Motto: Atoms for Peace and DEvelopment.
Founded in the context of the Cold War nuclear arms race. Aims to promote safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology while preventing its military use.
Objectives:
1.Promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy
2.Prevent nuclear weapons proliferation
3.Ensure nuclear safety and security
4.Provide technical assistance to member states for nuclear applications in energy, medicine etc
5.Acts as the nuclear watchdog through its safeguards system
Functions:
1.Conducts on-site inspection and monitoring of nuclear facilities in member countries
2.Helps countries use nuclear tech in cancer treatment, crop productivity etc
3.Sets international norms and assists countries in regulatory oversight
4.Coordinates international response to nuclear emergencies
India is founding member of IAEA. India maintains a civil-military separation of nuclear facilities post the India-US Civil Nuclear Deal (2008). IAEA monitors civilian reactors under the India-specific safeguards agreement.
