{"id":97320,"date":"2026-04-09T11:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=97320"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:42:00","slug":"fbr-strengthens-indias-nuclear-energy-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/fbr-strengthens-indias-nuclear-energy-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"FBR in India: How FBR Strengthens India\u2019s Nuclear Energy Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>FBR Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved criticality on April 6, 2026, marking a key milestone in its nuclear programme.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While \u201ccriticality\u201d is often seen as a major achievement, it is not the final goal but actually the initial stage of reactor operation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It represents the beginning of a controlled nuclear chain reaction, signalling progress but not completion of the project.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Criticality in Nuclear Reactors<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criticality occurs when a nuclear reactor achieves a <\/span><b>self-sustaining chain reaction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where each fission event releases neutrons that trigger further fission in surrounding nuclei.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engineers carefully control fuel composition, neutron movement, and reactor temperature to maintain this state.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While criticality indicates a stable and controlled reaction, it does not mean the reactor is ready for commercial operation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After reaching criticality, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reactor is run at low power for extended periods<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure all parameters remain within design limits before progressing to higher operational stages.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Conventional PHWRs and Their Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of India\u2019s nuclear reactors are <\/span><b>Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that use natural uranium, which contains <\/span><b>99.3% uranium-238<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>0.7% uranium-235<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neutrons are slowed using a moderator to enable uranium-235 fission, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">producing heat, a small amount of plutonium, and more neutrons<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, PHWRs are inefficient, as only about 1% of the fuel is utilised before becoming unusable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Working of Fast Breeder Reactors\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) are significantly more efficient, with a fuel utilisation rate of around 10% or more.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike PHWRs, FBRs primarily use <\/span><b>plutonium as fuel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do not rely on slowing down neutrons<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reactor core is surrounded by a blanket of <\/span><b>depleted uranium<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When fast neutrons strike this blanket, uranium is converted into plutonium, which can be reprocessed and reused as nuclear fuel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plutonium-based fuel undergoes fission using fast neutrons, releasing more fast neutrons that continue the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This creates a system where the reactor not only generates energy but also produces additional fuel, enhancing efficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme and FBRs<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s nuclear programme, conceived by Homi Bhabha, is structured in <\/span><b>three stages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to achieve long-term energy security.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first stage, <\/span><b>Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use natural uranium to generate electricity while producing plutonium and depleted uranium as by-products.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the second stage, Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) utilise this plutonium and depleted uranium to generate more energy and produce additional plutonium.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the final stage, advanced reactors will use plutonium and thorium to produce electricity, leveraging India\u2019s abundant thorium reserves.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FBRs act as a crucial bridge between the initial uranium-based phase and the final thorium-based cycle, enabling self-sufficiency in nuclear power.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Challenges in Developing Fast Breeder Reactors\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Technical Complexity and Delays<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Developing FBRs has proven far more difficult than anticipated. India\u2019s Prototype PFBR faced significant challenges during construction despite being designed and executed by specialised institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use of Liquid Sodium Coolant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; FBRs use liquid sodium as a coolant, which improves heat transfer and avoids the need for high pressure. However, sodium reacts violently with air and water, requiring perfectly sealed systems and strict leak detection, making operations complex and costly compared to water-cooled reactors.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan\u2019s Monju reactor suffered a sodium leak and fire, leading to eventual shutdown.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France\u2019s Superph\u00e9nix reactor was closed due to technical problems and high costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russia continues to operate a limited number of FBRs, showing technical feasibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic and Public Acceptance Issues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Although technically feasible, FBRs are not yet economically viable and have struggled to gain public acceptance. High costs and safety concerns remain major barriers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Need for Strong Safety and Oversight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; FBRs require rigorous monitoring, engineering precision, and a strong safety culture, making their successful operation dependent on both technological capability and institutional discipline.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Approach to Fast Breeder Reactors\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Focus on Long-Term Fuel Security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; India\u2019s pursuit of FBRs is driven by its three-stage nuclear programme, which aims to ensure long-term energy security by efficiently utilising available nuclear resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>State-Driven and Insulated Governance Structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; India\u2019s nuclear sector is largely state-controlled, with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) reporting directly to the Prime Minister\u2019s Office. This structure has enabled continuity of nuclear projects across political cycles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limited Accountability and Transparency Issues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; The insulated decision-making framework has reduced scrutiny. Projects have faced delays and cost overruns, with accountability diffused across agencies. The PFBR\u2019s cost rose from \u20b93,500 crore to \u20b96,800 crore, alongside multiple deadline extensions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/why-does-india-want-fast-breeder-nuclear-reactors-explained\/article70836887.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2026\/4\/7\/indias-nuclear-leap-why-its-fast-breeder-reactor-success-matters#:~:text=Fast%20breeder%20reactors%20also%20use,stage%20of%20India&#039;s%20nuclear%20programme.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AJ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FBR in India boosts nuclear energy efficiency. FBR technology supports India\u2019s three-stage programme and long-term fuel security despite technical and economic challenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":97328,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[6720,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-97320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-fbr","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97320"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97336,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97320\/revisions\/97336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}