India's Three-Stage Nuclear Programme
India's civil nuclear programme is structured around a unique three-stage strategy developed by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha in the 1950s to utilise India's abundant thorium reserves while managing its limited uranium deposits. The programme is implemented by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and its constituent organisations.
- Stage 1: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium fuel; produce plutonium as a by-product
- Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) using plutonium from Stage 1 as fuel; breed more fissile material (including U-233 from thorium blanket); Prototype FBR at Kalpakkam (PFBR) — India's first FBR
- Stage 3: Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) or thorium-based reactors using U-233 bred in Stage 2; India's thorium reserves (~25% of world's known reserves) provide near-unlimited fuel
- Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): Established 1954 under direct charge of the Prime Minister; administers NPCIL, BHAVINI, BARC, AERB
- Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL): Operates all commercial nuclear plants in India (22 reactors, ~7.5 GW installed capacity as of 2025)
- Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): Apex policy body under DAE; Chairman = Secretary, DAE
- Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): Independent nuclear regulator; given statutory recognition by SHANTI Act 2025
● Tracked since February 01, 2026 · last seen May 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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