India’s Kalpakkam Reactor Reaches Criticality Milestone

India has reached a significant milestone in its nuclear energy program as the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has officially attained criticality. This achievement signals that the reactor has successfully initiated a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the development as a major scientific triumph for the nation. The deployment of the fast breeder reactor is a central component of India’s long-term nuclear energy strategy, which aims to leverage the country’s vast thorium reserves. By moving into the second stage of its nuclear power program, India seeks to enhance its energy security and reduce dependence on conventional fuel sources.

The facility, developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), represents a complex engineering feat. Attaining criticality is the final preparatory step before the reactor begins generating electricity for the national grid. The government views this advancement as a testament to the capabilities of India’s domestic scientific community and its growing infrastructure in the atomic energy sector.