India has achieved a significant milestone in its civil nuclear programme with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attaining its first criticality, marking the initiation of a sustained nuclear chain reaction.
In a statement on Monday, 7 April, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), said that the development marks India’s entry into the second stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme envisioned by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha.
The PFBR is a 500 megawatt electrical nuclear reactor constructed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).
The reactor utilises fissile material recovered from the reprocessing of spent fuel from first-stage Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
According to the DAE Secretary, the PFBR is designed to produce more fuel than it consumes.
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The spent fuel generated in the reactor will be reprocessed and recycled, enabling the closure of the second-stage fuel cycle.
This development is expected to pave the way for the third stage of India’s nuclear programme, which focuses on the utilisation of the country’s abundant thorium reserves through thorium-based reactors.
Mohanty noted that the achievement reinforces the Department of Atomic Energy’s contribution to India’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He highlighted that the PFBR has been designed and built indigenously, reflecting decades of work by Indian scientists, engineers, and industry partners, and underscoring the country’s progress towards technological self-reliance.
The Chairman congratulated teams from Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and other DAE units, along with industry partners involved in the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated India’s scientists and engineers on the successful attainment of criticality of the indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam.
The Prime Minister stated that India has taken a defining step forward in its civil nuclear journey, marking significant progress in the second stage of its nuclear programme.
He emphasised that the advanced reactor, which has the capability to generate more fuel than it consumes, showcases the country’s strong scientific capabilities and robust engineering expertise.
Shri Modi also highlighted that this achievement paves the way for effectively harnessing India’s vast thorium reserves under the third stage of the nuclear programme.
Calling it a proud moment for the nation, the Prime Minister lauded the commitment and efforts of all those involved in achieving this milestone.
“Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme. The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality,” PM Modi said.
“This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of our scientific capability and the strength of our engineering enterprise. It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers,” he added.
