A historic milestone in India's nuclear energy journey

India has marked a major milestone in its nuclear energy programme as indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained criticality. The 500 Megawatt electric Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR is located at Kalpakkam and operated by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI). It represents a key component of India’s long-term nuclear strategy. Once fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to have a commercial fast breeder reactor. Criticality marks the point at which a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction.
This is a key milestone before full power generation, indicating that the reactor core is functioning as designed. It strengthens India’s position in advanced nuclear technology and clean energy generation. The project has been built indigenously with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including several MSMEs, aligning with the government’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the landmark achievement. In a social media post last night, PM Modi said, India is taking a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of country’s three-stage nuclear programme. The Prime Minister also called this a decisive step towards harnessing India’s vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. Calling it a proud moment for India, PM Modi congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the project.