New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) The successful attainment of criticality at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is not merely a technological achievement; it showcases the evolution of India’s nuclear ambitions and the robustness of its homegrown capabilities, as stated in an official announcement on Tuesday.

The PFBR, which is completely designed and constructed in India, is situated at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and reached its initial criticality on April 6, signaling the start of a sustained nuclear chain reaction.

This reactor, with a capacity of 500 MWe (Megawatt electrical), was developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) at the Kalpakkam Nuclear Complex.

“The advancements at the Kalpakkam Nuclear Complex reflect confidence in cutting-edge reactor technologies and highlight the pivotal role of the Department of Atomic Energy in facilitating this transition. As capacity increases and newer technologies emerge, nuclear energy is poised to assume a more significant position in India’s energy landscape,” noted the official fact-sheet.

Despite having limited uranium reserves, India boasts one of the largest thorium reserves globally. To optimize these resources, the Department of Atomic Energy has formulated a three-stage nuclear power program based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle, aimed at progressively augmenting domestic fissile resources and achieving long-term energy autonomy.

India's current nuclear output stands at 8.78 Gigawatt (GW). In 2024–25, nuclear power facilities produced 56,681 million units of electricity nationwide.

Nuclear energy consistently contributes approximately 3 percent to India's total electricity generation, with its share at 3.1 percent in 2024–25.

“India's nuclear capacity is projected to grow nearly threefold in the coming years. The development of indigenous 700 Megawatt (MW) and 1,000 MW reactors through international partnerships is expected to elevate the installed capacity to 22.38 GW by 2031–32,” the statement added.

India has entered into Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs) on Civil Nuclear Cooperation for peaceful purposes with 18 nations, showcasing the increasing global confidence in India's nuclear initiatives.

The Nuclear Energy Mission has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for the design, development, and implementation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), indicating a significant long-term commitment to indigenous nuclear technology. At least five domestically designed SMRs are expected to become operational by 2033, enhancing India's clean and reliable energy strategy.

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is spearheading the development of next-generation reactor designs, including the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), the 55 MWe SMR-55, and a High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor that can reach up to 5 MWth (Megawatt thermal) for hydrogen production.

Furthermore, to bolster this mission, the government has introduced the 'Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025,’ which modernizes India's nuclear legal framework. This act facilitates limited private sector involvement in the nuclear domain under regulatory supervision, paving the way for new collaborations and investments.