The objective of Safety Research Institute is to build a unique research and knowledge base with a strong research capability in important safety related areas to support regulatory functions of AERB. With this objective, under the initiative of Prof. P. Rama Rao, the then Chairman, AERB, Safety Research Institute was setup at Kalpakkam. The foundation stone for the institute was laid on February 20, 1999 by Dr. R. Chidambaram, the then Chairman, AEC during the IX Five Year Plan period with P. Rodriguez as first Director of the Institute.

Safety Research Institute (SRI) of AERB conducts independent safety to supplement regulatory review and assessment activities. The domains of scientific activities at SRI includes Thermal and Fast Reactor Physics, Radiation Shielding & Transport and Criticality Computations, Reliability and Probabilistic Safety Assessment, Structural and Seismic Studies, Fire Safety, Thermal Hydraulic Studies, Safety Assessment of Fuel Cycle and Waste Management Facilities. Radionuclide migration studies, Environmental and Fuel safety studies, Remote Sensing and GIS Applications, establishment of a depository of Computer Codes etc. Research activities at SRI are closely monitored and periodically reviewed by AERB management.

Research areas undertaken at SRI are specifically chosen in a way to complement the ongoing R&D activities at various other DAE units. The institute, located within IGCAR campus, has an added advantage with access to various state-of-art laboratories, library facilities, interaction with large pool of scientists & engineers, etc.