Describing the development as a “defining step” in the country’s nuclear journey, PM Modi said the advanced reactor marks progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India has reached a significant milestone in its civil nuclear programme, with the indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attaining criticality.
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
Describing the development as a “defining step” in the country’s nuclear journey, PM Modi said the advanced reactor marks progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear 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,” he wrote on X.
He highlighted that the reactor, which is designed and built domestically, is capable of producing more fuel than it consumes — an important feature for long-term energy security.
PM Modi added that the achievement reflects India’s scientific and engineering capabilities and represents a crucial step towards utilising the country’s vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme.
Calling it “a proud moment for India,” the Prime Minister congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the project.
India’s Department of Atomic Energy has adopted a three-stage nuclear power programme to make the most of the country’s limited uranium reserves and abundant thorium resources. The strategy is based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle aimed at generating nuclear power while ensuring long-term energy security.
Under this programme, the first stage involves the use of natural uranium in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). In the second stage, plutonium extracted from spent fuel of these reactors is used in Fast Breeder Reactors to generate more fissile material.
The third stage focuses on the large-scale use of thorium, utilising uranium-233 produced in Fast Breeder Reactors once sufficient nuclear capacity has been established. This phase is expected to unlock thorium as a virtually inexhaustible source of energy for the country.
Currently, the first stage of the programme — based on indigenous PHWRs — is already in the industrial domain. The second stage is progressing with the commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited at Kalpakkam.
With inputs from agencies
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