Non-inductive methods of generating plasma currents offer the possibility of operating tokamak reactors in steady state, which would alleviate the cyclic-stress-related problems of pulsed operation. The last few years have seen a rapid intensification of both the theoretical and experimental research in this area and much progress in evaluating the efficiencies of the potential schemes has been achieved. In order to review the progress and to identify areas for further research, the first IAEA Technical Committee Meeting on Non-inductive Current Drive in Tokamaks was held at Culham Laboratory from 18 to 21 April 1983. The meeting was attended by about 60 scientists from eleven countries who represented almost all the laboratories with substantial programmes on current drive.
