Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated India’s scientists and engineers after the country’s indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieved criticality, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s nuclear programme.

The achievement signals India’s formal entry into Stage II of its three-stage nuclear power programme, advancing efforts toward energy self-reliance. The 500 MWe PFBR, developed by BHAVINI in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, uses mixed oxide (MOX) fuel and liquid sodium as a coolant. Its breeder technology allows it to produce more fuel than it consumes, a defining feature of fast breeder reactors.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi called the event a “proud moment for India” and a “defining step in our civil nuclear journey.” He highlighted that the PFBR reflects the depth of the nation’s scientific capability and the strength of its engineering enterprise, while paving the way for Stage III of the programme, which will focus on harnessing India’s abundant thorium reserves for long-term energy security.

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Officials emphasised that the reactor’s attainment of criticality, the point at which a sustained nuclear chain reaction begins, is a significant technical accomplishment after years of development. The milestone positions India among a select group of countries operating fast breeder reactor technology and is expected to reduce dependence on imported uranium, improve spent fuel recycling, and minimise nuclear waste.

The development is part of India’s broader clean energy and self-reliance objectives, aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat visions. The Kalpakkam facility, situated approximately 80 km from Chennai, has been a key hub for nuclear research, with Prime Minister Modi previously visiting the site to underscore its strategic importance.

Modi specifically acknowledged the contributions of teams at BHAVINI, IGCAR, and other associated institutions, praising their dedication and innovation. The successful criticality of the PFBR marks a decisive step toward energy independence and reinforces India’s position in advanced nuclear technology.

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