Date: 2026-04-27Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
After Russia, India to be the second country in the world operating a commercial-level Fast Breeder Reactor; an indigenously designed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieving first criticality is a significant milestone: Dr Jitendra Singh
**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that India's indigenously designed 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026, making India the second country after Russia to operate a commercial-level FBR. Under the "Nuclear Mission" with an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore, the government aims to deploy five Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 and reach 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. The SHANTI Act is highlighted as a key legislative tool to enable private sector participation in achieving India's Net Zero goal by 2070.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Technological Milestones and Development**
* The 500 MWe PFBR was indigenously designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and built by BHAVINI.
* The reactor uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel and is designed to produce more fuel than it consumes.
* India joins Russia as the only nations currently operating commercial-level fast breeder reactors; several other nations have shut down their historical experimental programs.
**India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme**
* The PFBR signifies the commencement of the second stage of the national nuclear strategy.
* Advancement in this stage is essential for transitioning to the third stage, which will leverage India’s vast thorium reserves.
* The strategy focuses on efficient nuclear fuel utilization and long-term sustainability.
**The "Nuclear Mission" and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)**
* A dedicated "Nuclear Mission" has been launched with a budget of Rs 20,000 crore.
* Five SMRs are scheduled for completion by 2033 to provide reliable, continuous clean energy.
* SMRs are specifically targeted for captive power generation in industries, remote areas without grid connections, and for repurposing decommissioned thermal plants.
**Legislative and Strategic Goals**
* The SHANTI Act will be utilized to facilitate and scale up private sector participation in the nuclear energy sector.
* Nuclear power is identified as indispensable for power-intensive emerging sectors like Artificial Intelligence, data infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
* The government targets a total nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Government and Department of Atomic Energy (IGCAR/BHAVINI)**
**Impact**
The successful criticality of the PFBR validates decades of indigenous research and moves the nation into a distinguished global position in advanced nuclear capability.
**Action Required**
Must oversee the full operationalization of the PFBR and manage the rollout of the "Nuclear Mission" and its associated SMR projects.
**Private Sector and Industry**
**Impact**
The SHANTI Act removes barriers to entry, allowing private entities to participate in scaling nuclear capacity and utilizing SMRs for industrial captive power.
**Action Required**
Explore investment and partnership opportunities enabled by the SHANTI Act and evaluate the integration of SMRs for industrial and manufacturing power needs.
**Technology and Infrastructure Sectors (AI, Data Centers, Manufacturing)**
**Impact**
These sectors will benefit from an increased and more reliable supply of clean, continuous energy, which is necessary for advanced data and manufacturing infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Incorporate nuclear energy availability into long-term strategic planning for infrastructure and sustainability goals.
Key Entities Referenced
SHANTI Act: Legislation introduced to enable private sector participation in scaling up India’s nuclear energy capacity.
Nuclear Mission: A government initiative with an allocation of ₹20,000 crore aimed at deploying five Small Modular Reactors by 2033.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): An indigenous 500 MWe reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marking the start of the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power program.
India’s 3-stage Nuclear Power Programme: The strategic framework for nuclear energy development in India, focusing on uranium-plutonium and eventual thorium utilization.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A key technological initiative for captive power generation and decentralized nuclear energy expansion.
Department of Atomic Energy
After Russia, India to be the second country in
the world operating a commercial-level Fast
Breeder Reactor; an indigenously designed
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)
achieving first criticality is a significant
milestone: Dr Jitendra Singh
India’s 3-stage Nuclear Programme, PEFB marks significant
step towards the second stage of the programme, paving the
way for future use of India’s vast thorium reserves, says the
Minister
Under the recently launched "Nuclear Mission”, 5 Small
Modular Reactors (SMRs) are planned by 2033; SHANTI Act
to enable participation of the private sector in scaling up
India’s nuclear energy capacity: Dr Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 27 APR 2026 5:28PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today said that after Russia, India will be the second country in the
world operating a commercial-level fast breeder reactor. Addressing a workshop of MPs and MLAs, on
"Small Modular Reactors" the Minister elaborated that India has achieved a significant milestone by
developing an indigenously designed 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam,
Tamil Nadu, which achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026.
Developed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and built by BHAVINI, this reactor
marks the start of the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power program, using uranium-plutonium
mixed oxide fuel to produce more fuel than it consumes. With this achievement, India moves toward
leveraging its vast thorium reserves in the third stage of its nuclear strategy. Once fully operational, India
will be the second country in the world after Russia operating a commercial-level fast breeder reactor, he
added.
The session was presided over by Shri Tarun Chugh. Dr Jitendra Singh further explained that the
significance of this achievement lies in the fact that with this, India moves toward leveraging its vast
thorium reserves in the third stage of its nuclear strategy. Once fully operational, India will be the second
country in the world after Russia operating a commercial-level fast breeder reactor.Currently, Russia is the only country operating commercial fast breeder reactors (FBRs), with India in the
advanced stage of commissioning its own. While several nations have historically developed or operated
experimental fast reactors—specifically the USA, UK, France, Japan, Germany, and China—most of these
programs are currently shut down.
Referring to recent developments in India’s three-stage nuclear programme, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the
successful establishment of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor marks a significant step towards the
second stage of the programme, enabling more efficient utilisation of nuclear fuel and paving the way for
future use of India’s vast thorium reserves.
The Minister emphasized that only a limited number of countries have made advancements in Fast
Breeder Reactor technology, placing India in a distinguished global position in advanced nuclear
capability.
The Minister further stated that nuclear energy will play a crucial role in India’s clean energy transition
and long-term sustainability goals, particularly in achieving the target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity
by 2047.
Highlighting emerging requirements, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that sectors such as Artificial Intelligence,
data infrastructure and advanced manufacturing will increasingly depend on reliable and continuous
sources of clean energy, where nuclear power will be indispensable.
The Minister also underlined the importance of initiatives such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), policy
support, and SHANTI Act enabling greater participation of the private sector in scaling up India’s nuclear
energy capacity. He said, under the recently launched "Nuclear Mission”, with an allocation of Rs 20,000
cr, five SMRs are planned by 2033.
SMRs, the Minister said, will be useful for captive power generation, particularly in Industry, dense
population zones, remote areas lacking grid connection, repurposing thermal plants etc.
Reiterating the government’s vision, the Minister said that a balanced energy mix, combining nuclear,
renewable and other clean energy sources, will be key to achieving the goal of Net Zero by 2070.****
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