DAE Launches India’s First Indigenous REE Certified Reference Material, Marking Major Milestone for AtmaNirbhar Bharat

New Delhi: In a landmark achievement for India’s scientific and strategic capabilities, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has released the country’s first indigenously developed Certified Reference Material (CRM) for Rare Earth Elements (REE). The CRM, named Ferrocarbonatite (BARC–B1401), represents a significant leap toward self-reliance in the critical materials ecosystem and strengthens India’s #AtmaNirbharBharat vision.

The CRM was officially launched by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, DAE and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), in the esteemed presence of Shri Vivek Bhasin, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The ceremony highlighted DAE’s continued leadership in advancing high-end scientific solutions with wide-ranging national importance.

 

A Collaborative Achievement

The development of the CRM is the result of a collaborative effort between:

• National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials (NCCCM), BARC

• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD)
  Both institutions, based in Hyderabad, are key DAE units specializing in material characterization and mineral exploration.

ISO-Compliant, Globally Significant

Produced as per stringent ISO guidelines, Ferrocarbonatite (BARC–B1401) provides certified values for:

• 13 Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

• 6 major elements

The launch places India among only four countries in the world to develop such a CRM, underscoring the nation’s scientific maturity in the REE domain—a sector crucial for electronics, renewable energy, electric vehicles, defence applications, and emerging technologies.

High-Level Participation

The event was attended by senior officials from various DAE units and institutions, including:

• Shri Dheeraj Pande, Outstanding Scientist & Director, AMD

• Dr. A.C. Bhasikuttan, Associate Director, Chemistry Group, BARC

• Shri K. Jayakumar, Controller, BARC

• Shri Daniel P. Babu, Head, TT&CD, BARC & Head, PA&MID, DAE

• Dr. K. Dash, Head, NCCCM–BARC

Their presence highlighted the collective commitment to strengthening India’s material science capabilities and reducing dependency on international sources for critical minerals.

 

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Strengthening India’s Strategic Edge

The introduction of this indigenous CRM will significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of REE analysis across research institutions, industry, and strategic sectors. It marks a major stride toward building a robust and self-sufficient supply chain for rare earth materials essential to India’s long-term technological and economic goals.