The Indian Atomic Energy Commission was set up on 3 August 1948 under the late Department of Scientific Research.

A resolution passed by the Government of India later replaced the commission by "Atomic Energy Commission of India" on 1 March 1954 under the Department of Atomic Energy with Homi J. Bhabha as secretary and more financial and executive powers, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

India achieved a major success in terms of breakthrough in science and technology when the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) detonated an underground nuclear device at Pokhran in the deserts of Rajasthan on 18 May 1974.

It also gives financial assistance to autonomous national institutes doing research in the field and has various other organisations under it.

List of Chairpersons of Atomic Energy Commission of India