fast breeder reactor

India’s indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu has attained criticality at 8:25 pm on April 6, 2026, following clearance from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) after safety review, marking a significant milestone in the country’s three-stage nuclear programme. The achievement means the reactor can now sustain a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction without external intervention, a key step before full power generation commences. Attaining criticality, or going…