'Historical Milestone': PM Modi Hails Kalpakkam Nuclear Fast Breeder Reactor Achieving Criticality

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed as a "historic milestone" the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor achieving criticality, and said Indian nuclear scientists have brought glory to the country.

In the 133rd episode of his radio show Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi, celebrating this feat, noted that the nuclear reactor is built with entirely indigenous technology, stating that "this will give new energy to our resolve of Viksit Bharat".

"A few days back, our Nuclear Scientists brought glory to India through a major achievement. In Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam, the Fast Breeder Reactor has achieved criticality. This is a stage in which the reactor achieves success in a self-sustaining nuclear reaction for the first time. The stage means the beginning of the reactor's operation phase," PM Modi said.

"This is a historic milestone in India's nuclear energy journey. And the big thing is that this nuclear reactor is built with entirely indigenous technology. I congratulate all those who have made invaluable contributions to India's nuclear program. Their efforts to make the lives of countrymen better and easier are really commendable. This will give new energy to our resolve of Viksit Bharat," he added.

The prime minister said he had the privilege of witnessing the core loading of the reactor in Kalpakkam in March 2024.

In a landmark achievement for India's nuclear energy programme, the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has successfully attained first criticality (start of controlled fission chain reaction) on April 6, marking a historic step in providing long-term energy security and advancing indigenous nuclear technology capabilities.

Fast Breeder Reactors are a cornerstone of India's long-term nuclear strategy. Unlike conventional thermal reactors, the PFBR uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.

The reactor is designed to eventually use Thorium-232 in the blanket. Through transmutation, Thorium-232 will be converted into Uranium-233, which will fuel the third stage of India's nuclear power programme.

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