Nuclear programme | A critical leap

At the moment, Russia is the only country in the world to run a commercial fast breeder reactor

(Text by Ajay Sukumaran | Graphic by Tanmoy Chakraborty)

Ajay Sukumaran

Tanmoy Chakraborty

UPDATED: Apr 24, 2026 18:51 IST

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On April 6, India’s nuclear energy programme officially stepped into its second stage with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieving first criticality—the point at which a sustained and controlled fission chain reaction begins. Once it is fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to run a commercial fast breeder reactor. A closer look at the science and strategy behind this milestone: