Energy Hunger Drove India’s Breeder Success: Kalapakkam's Fast Breeder Reactor Achieves Criticality

India’s energy hunger drove breeder reactor success; France and America’s energy appetite was already met. India’s long quest for energy independence has crossed a historic milestone. At Kalpakkam, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has achieved criticality. Driven by limited uranium and vast energy needs, India persisted where others like France, Japan and USA stepped back. The achievement advances Dr Homi Bhabha’s vision of a self‑reliant nuclear future. NDTV’s Science Editor Pallava Bagla spoke to Mr Sreekumar Pillai, Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.