**Executive Summary**
On June 21, 2026, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant (VDPP) and commissioned a 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at the Heavy Water Board Facilities (HWBF) in Vadodara. These facilities are designed to strengthen India's indigenous production of critical nuclear materials, specifically high-purity deuterated solvents and nuclear-grade sodium. This milestone supports the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme and advances the national vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant (VDPP)**
* Established to enhance indigenous production capabilities for specialized deuterated compounds.
* The plant will provide high-purity deuterated solvents required for advanced scientific research and frontier technologies.
* Supports strategic applications and national requirements in critical technological domains.
**24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell**
* Represents a major technological achievement in the industrial-scale production of nuclear-grade sodium.
* The facility is a critical component for the future growth of India’s Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Programme.
* Enables the indigenous manufacturing of materials necessary for the second stage of the country's three-stage nuclear power programme.
**Strategic Objectives and Innovation**
* Reinforces technological self-reliance through indigenous research, engineering excellence, and innovation.
* Aligns with the long-term objectives of the DAE to ensure strategic self-reliance in nuclear energy.
* Contributes to the national journey toward "Viksit Bharat" through strategic capability development.
**Impact Analysis**
**Heavy Water Board (HWB)**
**Impact**
The HWB is now responsible for operating these advanced facilities at Vadodara to meet national requirements for strategic materials.
**Action Required**
Employees, engineers, and scientists must manage the production operations of the VDPP and the Prototype Sodium Cell to ensure a steady supply of high-purity solvents and nuclear-grade sodium.
**India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Programme**
**Impact**
The programme gains a reliable, indigenous source of nuclear-grade sodium, reducing dependence on external sources for the second stage of the nuclear power programme.
**Action Required**
The programme must integrate the indigenous nuclear-grade sodium produced at the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell into its reactor development and expansion plans.
**Scientific Research and Strategic Sectors**
**Impact**
Researchers and strategic sectors gain access to specialized deuterated compounds and frontier technologies developed through indigenous innovation.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders in these sectors should utilize the high-purity materials provided by the VDPP to support advanced research and strategic technological applications.
Key Entities Referenced
India's three-stage nuclear power programme: The strategic long-term policy framework for nuclear energy development that the new facilities are designed to support.
Fast Breeder Reactor Programme: A national strategic initiative for which the commissioning of the Prototype Sodium Cell marks a milestone in producing nuclear-grade sodium.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The primary government department responsible for the establishment and inauguration of the new indigenous production facilities.
Heavy Water Board Facilities (HWBF), Vadodara: The central location where the Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant (VDPP) and the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell were commissioned.
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): The apex body overseeing nuclear energy policy in India, whose leadership inaugurated the indigenous production facilities.
Department of Atomic Energy
DAE Inaugurates Deuterated Compounds
Production Plant and Commissions Prototype
Sodium Cell at HWBF, Vadodara
Secretary, DAE & Chairman, AEC inaugurates the indigenous
Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant (VDPP)
and commissions the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at HWBF,
Vadodara.
VDPP strengthens indigenous production capability of
specialised deuterated compounds required for advanced
scientific research, strategic applications and frontier
technologies.
24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell marks a major milestone
towards indigenous industrial-scale production of nuclear-
grade sodium for India's Fast Breeder Reactor Programme.
Facilities reinforce India's technological self-reliance and
support the long-term objectives of the country's three-stage
nuclear power programme.
Posted On: 21 JUN 2026 7:33PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening India's indigenous technological capabilities and strategic
materials programme, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman,
Atomic Energy Commission, inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant (VDPP)
and commissioned the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at the Heavy Water Board Facilities (HWBF),
Vadodara, on 21 June 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohanty said, "The inauguration of the VDPP and commissioning of the 24
kA Prototype Sodium Cell reflect India's growing capabilities in developing critical materials and
technologies through indigenous research and innovation. These facilities will strengthen strategic self-
reliance, support advanced scientific research and contribute to the long-term objectives of India's nuclear
energy programme. The development of indigenous nuclear-grade sodium production capability is
particularly important for supporting the future growth of India's Fast Breeder Reactor Programme and
advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat through technological excellence."The ceremony was held in the august presence of Shri K. N. Vyas, Homi Bhabha Chair Professor and
Former Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. Also present
were Shri V. V. S. A. Prasad, Chairman & Chief Executive, Heavy Water Board; Shri K. V. Tale, Director
(Operation/Technical), Heavy Water Board; Shri Nitesh Mehta, Officer on Special Duty, HWBF
(Vadodara); along with senior officials of the Department of Atomic Energy, scientists, engineers and
employees of the Heavy Water Board.
The Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant has been established to enhance the country's
indigenous capability for the production of specialised deuterated compounds required for advanced
scientific research, strategic applications and frontier technological programmes. The facility is aimed to
play a vital role in meeting national requirements in this critical domain through the indigenous production
of high-purity deuterated solvents.
The commissioning of the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell marks a major technological achievement
towards the indigenous industrial-scale production of nuclear-grade sodium, a critical material for India's
Fast Breeder Reactor Programme. Developed through sustained research, engineering excellence and
technological innovation, the facility represents a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in
strategic materials required for the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme, in line
with the national vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
These achievements underscore DAE's continued commitment to technological self-reliance, innovation
and excellence in strategic sectors. The milestones further contribute to India's journey towards Viksit
Bharat through indigenous technological advancement and strategic capability development.*******NKR/AK/NM
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