The continuing crisis and high radiation levels at the earthquake and tsunami damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan points at the pressing need for independent regulation of nuclear power. And Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ’s promise that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) would be made "truly autonomous and independent," comes not a day too soon.The AERB is mandated to ensure safety of nuclear power , but its lack of independence from the department of atomic energy has led to criticism and questions about its effectiveness as a regulatory authority. Note that Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry has two distinct functions that can work at cross-purposes : regulating the nuclear power industry, and promoting nuclear technology both domestically and overseas. Japan’s nuclear regulator is seen as having had a rather cosy relationship with the atomic power industry.The expert opinion is that had the regulators in Japan been more independent , they might have imposed stricter regulations on plant safety and design that could have prevented the crisis, or substantially eased its severity. The military legacies of atomic power have meant topdown nuclear strategy implemented in a climate of secrecy , around the world. But the main nuclear power producers have been thoroughly overhauling regulation of late.The UK announced in February (before Fukushima happened) that it is setting up a new independent regulator for nuclear power, France has had a similar regulatory structure since 2006 and the US circa 1992. The International Atomic Energy Agency does, in fact, vouch for independence of the domestic regulator from any organisation promoting nuclear power, including government departments. Besides, nuclear power is complex, requiring an especially skilled workforce and its planning is highly cross-disciplinary .Hence the vital need for AERB to follow international best practices in oversight and safety standards. In tandem, we need up-to-date legislation and create a coherent set of laws that cover myriad aspects of nuclear safety and fault prevention. Topped by transparent dissemination of information.