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India's Fast Breeder Reactor Achieves Criticality, Boosting Nuclear Program

4/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 6, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved criticality.
The milestone marks the second stage of India's three-stage civil nuclear program.
Modi said the PFBR is designed and built in India and can produce more fuel than it consumes.
The achievement underscores India's scientific and engineering capabilities and advances thorium use in the program's third stage.

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Story summary

On April 6, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved criticality.
The milestone marks the second stage of India's three-stage civil nuclear program.
Modi said the PFBR is designed and built in India and can produce more fuel than it consumes.
The achievement underscores India's scientific and engineering capabilities and advances thorium use in the program's third stage.