How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in India?

Nuclear engineering is becoming a popular field in engineering among students. This field involves the application and science of nuclear and radiation processes. The sciences are concerned with the production, control and utilization of nuclear energy and radiation and radioactive material for their utilization in various fields including research, medicine, and industrial and national security. And if you wish to become a nuclear engineer in India, continue reading this blog. 

What is a Nuclear Engineer?

A Nuclear Engineer is an individual who is responsible for monitoring the operations within a nuclear facility. They conduct research, develop projects and address problems related to the control, release and utilisation of nuclear energy and radiation and radioactive material.

What Does a Nuclear Engineer Do?

Here are the typical job responsibilities of a Nuclear Engineer in India:

• Nuclear engineers are is responsible for monitoring the operations within a nuclear facility.
• They conduct research, develop projects and address problems related to the control, release and utilisation of nuclear energy and radiation and radioactive material.
• Nuclear engineers coordinate the proper disposal of nuclear waste and ensure the maintenance and safety procedures of a power plant.
• Pursuing this degree will also allow students to opt for a lecturer or assistant professorship in the topmost colleges in India.

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Also Read: How to become a physicist?

Why Become a Nuclear Engineer?

Here’s why you must consider becoming a Nuclear Engineer in India:

• Nuclear engineers can be employed in various fields such as nuclear energy companies, research labs, the chemical industry and the science and technology industry
• Nuclear engineers are highly skilled professionals who have a wide range of career options including physicist, project engineer, chemical engineer, research assistant and many more
• Nuclear engineering is a lucrative field offering an average salary between 4.42 Lakh – 10 Lakh  

Also Read: How to Become a Project Engineer?

Steps to Become a Nuclear Engineer

Here is a step-to-step process for becoming a Nuclear Engineer in India:

High School Education 

To become a nuclear engineer, students will be required to pursue science stream with subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics because most engineering fields heavily rely on the fundamentals and principles of mathematics and applications of science 

Pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Students will be required to pursue an undergraduate degree in engineering to qualify for an entry-level position in the field

Earn a Master’s degree 

Students who wish to gain deeper knowledge in the field can choose to pursue a postgraduate degree in nuclear engineering. This will allow them to expand their professional boundaries and help them grow 

Get a License 

Even though nuclear engineers do not necessarily require to have a license to work, however, in some states engineers who offer services to the public are required to be licensed as professional engineers

Gain Experience 

Individuals must have certain years of work experience to be hired as working professionals in a company or an organization. Professional nuclear engineers are required to renew their licenses every two years 

Skills Required to Become a Nuclear Engineer

You must have the following skills to become a Nuclear Engineer:

• Analytical Skills 
• Communication Skills 
• Computer Skills 
• Detail Oriented 
• Logical Thinking Skills 
• Problem-solving Skills 
• Technical Skills 

Read All about Engineering 

Top Universities for Nuclear Engineering

The following are the famous universities to pursue nuclear engineering in India:

Universities	Location	Avg. Fees
IIT Madras	Chennai	75.12 K
IIT Bombay	Mumbai	2.28 Lakh
IIT Kanpur	Kanpur	2.16 Lakh
Jadavpur University	Kolkata	2.40 K
Delhi Technological University	New Delhi	1.90 Lakh
Amity University	Noida	3.11 Lakh
University of Delhi	Delhi
Mody University of Science and Technology	Rajasthan	2.66 Lakh

Eligibility Criteria to Become a Nuclear Engineer

The following are the eligibility criteria to become a nuclear engineer in India:

• The candidate must have completed their 10+2 level of education with a minimum aggregate of 50% in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as major subjects 
• To pursue an undergraduate degree and take admitted in top colleges, students will be required to qualify for engineering exams like JEE mains and JEE advanced 
• To pursue a postgraduate degree, the candidate must have scored a minimum of 50% in their bachelor’s degree program

Popular Course for Nuclear Engineering

Those who wish to become a Nuclear Engineer in India can opt for this course. BTech Nuclear Science and Engineering is a 4-year long undergraduate program that covers studies related to subatomic physics and the science of the breakdown of atomic nuclei with a sub-discipline of nuclear physics focusing on protons, neutrons and atoms. The course will provide students with advanced knowledge of applications of nuclear fuels and radioactive isotopes. This learning will be fundamental in the development of nuclear energy, making nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. 

Nuclear Engineering Syllabus

The syllabus for Nuclear Engineering may vary for different universities but here are the common topics covered under the same.

• Physics
• Chemistry 
• Mathematics
• Material Science 
• Principles of Environmental Science 
• Basic Engineering 
• Mechanics of Material 
• Applied Radiochemistry 
• Neutron Physics 
• Thermodynamics 
• Nuclear Fuel Systems 
• Engineering Economics and Management 

Also Read: Best Engineering Courses 

Career Path Progression for Nuclear Engineer

We are here to support you along the way so you may build a successful career in nuclear engineering. Depending on their areas of expertise and qualifications, there are many sorts of nuclear engineers. The most important positions in nuclear engineering, together with their numerous titles and duties, are listed here.

• Atomic Process Engineers
• Radiation Engineer
• Nuclear System Engineers
• Nuclear Radiation Engineer

FAQs

This was all about how you can become a Nuclear Engineer in India. If you wish to know more about careers in India, stay tuned with Leverage Edu to discover various job opportunities in India.