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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the country's scientists and engineers after an indigenously developed prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, successfully achieved criticality. The developmend marks a significant milestone in the nation's three-stage nuclear programme. In nuclear physics and engineering, criticality is a self-sustaining state of a nuclear facility that is crucial for successful operation. 
The country has taken a defining step forward in its civil nuclear journey, said the PM.
Noting that the milestone marks marking significant progress in the second stage of its nuclear programme, the prime minister said that the advanced reactor showcases the country’s strong scientific capabilities and robust engineering expertise. The reactor has the capability to generate more fuel than it consumes. 
"It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India," he wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). 
Here are five key things to know about this development: 
<ul>
<li>Time of Criticality: The 500-MWe prototype reactor achieved first criticality at 08:25 pm on Monday, April 6. Criticality marks the onset of sustained and controlled nuclear fission chain reaction. </li>
<li>Who developed it? The facility is developed under the Department of Atomic Energy, which operates under the direct charge of the PM.  The technology development and design was carried out indigenously by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), an R&amp;D Centre of the Department of Atomic Energy. It was built and commissioned by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI), a PSU under the department.</li>
<li>Fuel: The reactor uses uranium-plutonium (MOX) as fuel, converting Uranium 238 into Plutonium 239 using fast neutrons. It is designed to eventually use Thorium-232 for Uranium-233. </li>
<li>Importance: The achievement of criticality by the plant strengthens the country's nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, in line with its broader 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) ambition. </li>
<li>How does it work? Unlike conventional thermal reactors, a PFBR uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel. The reactor's core is surrounded by a blanket of Uranium-238. Fast neutrons convert fertile Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, enabling the reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes. Thorium-232 will be converted into Uranium-233 in the reactor through transmutation. This is set to drive the third stage of the country's nuclear power programme.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme.
The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality.
This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2041187159655305350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the subject: 
What is a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor? 
A Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is an advanced nuclear reactor that generates electricity.
What is the PFBR milestone that the country has achieved?
India’s 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam has achieved criticality, marking the onset of a controlled nuclear reaction.
Why is this significant?
It is a major step in the nation’s nuclear programme.
What did PM Narendra Modi say?
He called it a “defining step” in the nation's nuclear journey and a proud moment.
What makes this reactor unique?
The PFBR can produce more fuel than it consumes.
How does this help the nation's future energy plans?
It supports the second stage of the nuclear programme.
What is its broader impact?
It strengthens clean, low-carbon power generation and supports the country's broader push for self-reliance in advanced nuclear technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the country's scientists and engineers after an indigenously developed prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, successfully achieved criticality. The developmend marks a significant milestone in the nation's three-stage nuclear programme. In nuclear physics and engineering, criticality is a self-sustaining state of a nuclear facility that is crucial for successful operation. The country has taken a defining step forward in its civil nuclear journey, said the PM.Noting that the milestone marks marking significant progress in the second stage of its nuclear programme, the prime minister said that the advanced reactor showcases the country’s strong scientific capabilities and robust engineering expertise. The reactor has the capability to generate more fuel than it consumes. "It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India," he wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). Here are five key things to know about this development: Time of Criticality: The 500-MWe prototype reactor achieved first criticality at 08:25 pm on Monday, April 6. Criticality marks the onset of sustained and controlled nuclear fission chain reaction. Who developed it? The facility is developed under the Department of Atomic Energy, which operates under the direct charge of the PM.  The technology development and design was carried out indigenously by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), an R&amp;D Centre of the Department of Atomic Energy. It was built and commissioned by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI), a PSU under the department.Fuel: The reactor uses uranium-plutonium (MOX) as fuel, converting Uranium 238 into Plutonium 239 using fast neutrons. It is designed to eventually use Thorium-232 for Uranium-233. Importance: The achievement of criticality by the plant strengthens the country's nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, in line with its broader 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) ambition. How does it work? Unlike conventional thermal reactors, a PFBR uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel. The reactor's core is surrounded by a blanket of Uranium-238. Fast neutrons convert fertile Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, enabling the reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes. Thorium-232 will be converted into Uranium-233 in the reactor through transmutation. This is set to drive the third stage of the country's nuclear power programme.Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme.The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality.This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2026Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the subject: What is a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor? A Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is an advanced nuclear reactor that generates electricity.What is the PFBR milestone that the country has achieved?India’s 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam has achieved criticality, marking the onset of a controlled nuclear reaction.Why is this significant?It is a major step in the nation’s nuclear programme.What did PM Narendra Modi say?He called it a “defining step” in the nation's nuclear journey and a proud moment.What makes this reactor unique?The PFBR can produce more fuel than it consumes.How does this help the nation's future energy plans?It supports the second stage of the nuclear programme.What is its broader impact?It strengthens clean, low-carbon power generation and supports the country's broader push for self-reliance in advanced nuclear technology.

The prime minister congratulated scientists and engineers as a prototype fast breeder reactor at Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam attained criticality.  

A defining step forward in nation&#039;s civil nuclear journey: PM Modi

A defining step forward in nation's civil nuclear journey: PM Modi

news-a-defining-step-forward-in-nations-civil-nuclear-journey-pm-as-kalpakkam-civil-nuclear-facility-attains-criticality-393256

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the countrys scientists and engineers after an indigenously developed prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, successfully achieved criticality. The developmend marks a significant milestone in the nations three-stage nuclear programme. In nuclear physics and engineering, criticality is a self-sustaining state of a nuclear facility that is crucial for successful operation.  The country has taken a defining step forward in its civil nuclear journey, said the PM. Noting that the milestone marks marking significant progress in the second stage of its nuclear programme, the prime minister said that the advanced reactor showcases the country’s strong scientific capabilities and robust engineering expertise. The reactor has the capability to generate more fuel than it consumes.  It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India, he wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter).  Here are five key things to know about this development:  Time of Criticality: The 500-MWe prototype reactor achieved first criticality at 08:25 pm on Monday, April 6. Criticality marks the onset of sustained and controlled nuclear fission chain reaction.  Who developed it? The facility is developed under the Department of Atomic Energy, which operates under the direct charge of the PM.  The technology development and design was carried out indigenously by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), an R D Centre of the Department of Atomic Energy. It was built and commissioned by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI), a PSU under the department. Fuel: The reactor uses uranium-plutonium (MOX) as fuel, converting Uranium 238 into Plutonium 239 using fast neutrons. It is designed to eventually use Thorium-232 for Uranium-233.  Importance: The achievement of criticality by the plant strengthens the countrys nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, in line with its broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) ambition.  How does it work? Unlike conventional thermal reactors, a PFBR uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel. The reactors core is surrounded by a blanket of Uranium-238. Fast neutrons convert fertile Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, enabling the reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes. Thorium-232 will be converted into Uranium-233 in the reactor through transmutation. This is set to drive the third stage of the countrys nuclear power programme. Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme. The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality. This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2026 Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the subject:  What is a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor?  A Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is an advanced nuclear reactor that generates electricity. What is the PFBR milestone that the country has achieved? India’s 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam has achieved criticality, marking the onset of a controlled nuclear reaction. Why is this significant? It is a major step in the nation’s nuclear programme. What did PM Narendra Modi say? He called it a “defining step” in the nations nuclear journey and a proud moment. What makes this reactor unique? The PFBR can produce more fuel than it consumes. How does this help the nations future energy plans? It supports the second stage of the nuclear programme. What is its broader impact? It strengthens clean, low-carbon power generation and supports the countrys broader push for self-reliance in advanced nuclear technology.

The prime minister congratulated scientists and engineers as a prototype fast breeder reactor at Tamil Nadus Kalpakkam attained criticality.  