Nuclear Technology (Science & Technology).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: General Science; Mains GS3: S&T developments
Nuclear energy for UPSC: fission and fusion, India's three-stage programme, PHWR, FBR and thorium, PFBR at Kalpakkam, Nuclear Energy Mission 2025 and…
The indigenously designed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, attained first criticality on 6 April 2026, the DAE told Lok Sabha on 5 August. It is the forerunner of the second stage of Dr Homi J. Bhabha's three-stage nuclear programme. Using MOX fuel and a U-238 blanket, it breeds Pu-239 and makes more fuel than it uses.
UPSC angle: Prelims: three-stage programme.
5 Aug 2026
The Department of Atomic Energy inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle using nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, on 26 June 2026. The BARC-developed process is a technology demonstrator for carbon-free hydrogen and takes nuclear energy beyond electricity.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Cu–Cl cycle, FBTR, three-stage programme.
26 Jun 2026
On 21 June 2026 DAE inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant and a 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at Heavy Water Board Facilities, Vadodara. VDPP will make high-purity deuterated solvents for research and strategic uses. The sodium cell advances indigenous nuclear-grade sodium for the Fast Breeder Reactor programme, stage two of the three-stage nuclear plan.
UPSC angle: Prelims: coolant of FBR.
21 Jun 2026
The indigenous 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, reached first criticality on 6 April 2026. Designed by IGCAR and built by BHAVINI, it uses uranium-plutonium MOX fuel and breeds more fuel than it burns. It starts stage two of India's three-stage nuclear programme; India will be second after Russia to run a commercial-scale fast breeder.
UPSC angle: Prelims: three-stage programme.
27 Apr 2026
India targets 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. That cannot happen with NPCIL alone.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Nuclear targets. · Mains: Private role in nuclear energy.
28 Dec 2025
Shows private entry into nuclear supply chains.
UPSC angle: Prelims: heavy water.
26 Jul 2025