India has achieved a major milestone in its nuclear energy programme. The domestically designed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has attained “criticality” — the stage where a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction begins.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the development as a “defining step” in India’s civil nuclear journey and the second stage of its three-stage nuclear programme.
“Today, India takes a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves,” Modi said in a statement late Monday. He praised the reactor’s ability to produce more fuel than it consumes, calling it a reflection of India’s scientific and engineering strength.
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.
This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2026
The PFBR is a significant advancement because it is a fast breeder reactor, designed to generate more nuclear fuel (plutonium) than it uses. This technology is seen as crucial for India’s long-term energy security, especially given the country’s large thorium reserves.
While the reactor has now achieved criticality, it is not yet generating electricity for the national grid. That will happen in the coming stages once it reaches full power operation.
The development is particularly important for energy-hungry India, the world’s most populous country and third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The government has set an ambitious target of expanding nuclear power capacity from the current 8 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts by 2047.
This progress comes at a time of global energy uncertainty, including the ongoing war in the Middle East that has disrupted fuel supplies. India still relies heavily on coal for power but has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
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