Date: 2026-04-16Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Text of the Reference made in the House today by Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha, on a significant milestone in India’s journey of scientific progress and technological self-reliance
**Executive Summary**
On April 16, 2026, the Rajya Sabha Chairman announced that India’s 500-Megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026. This milestone marks India’s formal entry into the second stage of its three-stage nuclear program, transitioning toward utilizing Plutonium and eventually Thorium. The achievement supports the national target of 100 GW nuclear power and the global commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**PFBR Technical Milestone**
* The 500-Megawatt PFBR successfully initiated a controlled and sustained nuclear chain reaction (criticality) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
* The reactor was designed indigenously by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and constructed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).
* The project represents over two decades of effort by the Department of Atomic Energy, Indian scientists, and domestic industries.
**Three-Stage Nuclear Strategy**
* **Stage 1:** Uses natural Uranium in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, producing Plutonium as a by-product (currently operational).
* **Stage 2:** Utilizes Plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (like the PFBR) to generate more fuel than they consume.
* **Stage 3:** Future transition to Thorium-Uranium based reactors to ensure long-term energy sustainability.
**Policy and National Objectives**
* The achievement aligns with the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act passed in December 2025.
* The SHANTI Act opened the civil nuclear energy sector to all players under a "whole-of-the-nation" approach.
* The project is a critical component of the "Atma Nirbhar" (self-reliant) initiative and the vision of "Viksit Bharat."
**Impact Analysis**
**Department of Atomic Energy (IGCAR and BHAVINI)**
**Impact**
Successful validation of two decades of indigenous design and construction efforts. It confirms India’s mastery over complex, frontier nuclear technologies.
**Action Required**
Must ensure the successful operation of the PFBR and utilize the momentum to accelerate the development of Stage 3 Thorium-based technologies and fuel cycle systems.
**Indian Industry and Private Players**
**Impact**
The realization of the PFBR and the SHANTI Act 2025 opens significant opportunities in high-end engineering, advanced reactor technologies, and the civil nuclear sector.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the expanding nuclear power sector to help reach the national target of 100 Giga Watts.
**The Scientific and Engineering Community**
**Impact**
The milestone reaffirms India’s position among a select group of nations capable of deploying Fast Breeder technology, bolstering the domestic scientific ecosystem.
**Action Required**
Continued innovation is required in advanced reactor technologies and engineering to support the transition to the final stage of the nuclear program.
Key Entities Referenced
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): A 500-Megawatt nuclear reactor that attained first criticality, marking India's advancement to the second stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme.
Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act: Legislation passed in December 2025 to open the civil nuclear energy sector to all players and support the target of 100 Giga Watts of nuclear power.
India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme: A strategy to optimize limited Uranium and abundant Thorium resources, progressing from Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors to Fast Breeder Reactors and eventually Thorium-Uranium based reactors.
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI): The organization responsible for the construction of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam.
Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu: The central location where the scientific breakthrough of the PFBR attaining first criticality was achieved.
Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Text of the Reference made in the House today
by Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Hon'ble Chairman,
Rajya Sabha, on a significant milestone in India’s
journey of scientific progress and technological
self-reliance
Posted On: 16 APR 2026 3:52PM by PIB Delhi
CHAIRMAN: Hon’ble Members, I would like to inform this August House of a significant milestone in
India’s journey of scientific progress and technological self-reliance.
On 6 April 2026, at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, India achieved an important scientific breakthrough. Our
500-Megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, PFBR, has successfully attained first criticality. This
marks the moment when a controlled and sustained nuclear chain reaction has been initiated in the reactor.
Hon’ble Members, this is not merely a technological milestone. It is a moment of national achievement.
Over two decades in the making, it marks the successful culmination of sustained efforts by thousands of
our scientists, engineers, industries and multiple units of the Department of Atomic Energy.
This historic achievement bolsters the Nuclear Energy Mission and strengthens India’s global commitment
of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi ji. The core-loading of PFBR was also witnessed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in March 2024.
India’s nuclear strategy is envisioned in three stages to optimise the use of our limited Uranium resources
and abundant Thorium reserves. The first stage currently in operation uses natural Uranium in Pressurised
Heavy Water Reactors, producing Plutonium as a by-product. With the realisation of PFBR, India has
taken an historic step of advancing to the second stage. In this stage, we will utilise Plutonium in Fast
Breeder Reactors to generate more nuclear fuel. Unlike conventional reactors, a Fast Breeder Reactor has
the unique capability to produce more fuel than it consumes. The third stage will be Thorium-Uranium
based reactors, enabling a sustainable, long-term energy future.
At a time when India’s energy needs are steadily rising, and our commitment to clean energy is stronger
than ever, nuclear power offers a reliable, round-the-clock, low-carbon source of electricity. The house had
passed Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI)
Act in December 2025 to open up the civil nuclear energy sector to all players. With the whole-of-the-
nation approach, we are steadily marching towards achieving the target of 100 Giga Watts of nuclear
power.
With PFBR attaining criticality, India has entered the second stage of our long-envisioned programme in
civil nuclear energy. The PFBR stands as a proud testament to India’s long journey of perseverance,
innovation, and national commitment. It serves as a vital bridge, linking our present capabilities with a
more sustainable and Atma Nirbhar nuclear future.This achievement has been made possible entirely through indigenous effort. The reactor has been
designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and constructed by Bharatiya
Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI, with strong participation from Indian industry. It stands as a
proud reflection of the strength of our scientific ecosystem and the power of national collaboration.
Hon’ble Members, with this milestone, India takes its rightful place among a select group of nations that
have mastered this advanced technology. It reaffirms our standing as a nation capable of developing and
deploying complex, frontier technologies with confidence and self-reliance.
More importantly, it reflects the confidence of a nation that believes in its own capabilities, and is
determined to build a future that is secure, sustainable, and self-reliant.
Looking ahead, the successful operation of PFBR will support the expansion of nuclear power in the
country and help us move faster towards the third stage of our programme. It will also open new
opportunities in advanced reactor technologies, fuel cycle systems, and high-end engineering.
Hon’ble Members, this achievement marks a new beginning.
A beginning that carries forward the vision of our pioneers in science.
A beginning that strengthens our journey towards energy independence.
And a beginning that brings us closer to the goal of a Viksit Bharat.
It is also a moment that reaffirms our belief in the power of science and technology to shape our collective
future and realise our shared aspirations.
From the first spark of a controlled chain reaction in PFBR emerges not only energy, but also the promise
of a brighter future for generations to come.
I take this opportunity to place on record the appreciation of this House for the scientists, engineers,
technicians, industry partners, and all stakeholders whose dedication and hard work have made this
achievement possible.
Thank you.
*****
RKK
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