New Delhi: The Central government has appointed E Ravendiran, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as a Director in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The 2008-batch IAS officer Ravendiran is presently holding the post of Deputy Secretary in the same department.

DAE came into being on August 3, 1954 under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order. According to the Resolution constituting the AEC, the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Atomic Energy is the ex-officio Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. 

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. It comprises five research centres, three industrial organizations, five public sector undertakings and three service organizations.

It has under its aegis two boards for promoting and funding extra-mural research in nuclear and allied fields, mathematics and a national institute, deemed to be 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. /BI/