Why is it in the news? India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) successfully achieved “First Criticality” (the initiation of a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction) on April 6, 2026.
Criticality State: This refers to the state in which a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction. It marks a crucial milestone preceding full-scale power generation.
Technology Development and Design: Developed and designed indigenously by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
Construction and Operation: Executed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).
Capacity: 500 MW
Key Features:
The core of the PFBR is surrounded by a blanket of Uranium-238
Neutrons: Fast neutrons convert fertile Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, enabling the reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes. The reactor is ultimately designed to utilize the Thorium-232 present in its blanket.
Through conversion, Thorium-232 will be transformed into Uranium-233, which will serve as the fuel for the third stage of India’s nuclear energy program.
This entire process is based on a “closed fuel cycle,” wherein spent fuel is recycled for reuse.
With this achievement, India will become the second country in the world (after Russia) to commercially operate a Fast Breeder Reactor.
India’s three-stage nuclear plan is as follows:
In the first stage, electricity is generated from uranium, and plutonium is produced.
In the second stage, additional fuel is generated through Fast Breeder Reactors.
In the third stage, long-term energy generation will be carried out using thorium.
Currently, India’s nuclear power capacity stands at: 8.78 GW.
Electricity generation in 2024-25: 56,681 Million Units.
Outlook: Plans are in place to increase this capacity to 22.38 GW in the coming years.
