Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a major milestone in India’s nuclear energy programme as the country’s first indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained criticality. The achievement marks the beginning of a controlled nuclear chain reaction and represents a significant step in India’s civil nuclear journey.
The PFBR, designed and built domestically, is a key component of India’s three-stage nuclear programme aimed at achieving long-term energy security and utilising abundant thorium reserves. Fast breeder reactors are capable of producing more fissile material than they consume, enhancing fuel efficiency and sustainability.
Describing the development as a “defining step,” the Prime Minister congratulated scientists and engineers for their contribution, highlighting India’s scientific and engineering capabilities.
The milestone is expected to boost India’s clean energy transition by providing reliable, low-carbon power. It also places India among a select group of nations with advanced breeder reactor technology, reinforcing its position in the global nuclear energy landscape.
