India, April 7 -- In a landmark milestone for India's nuclear energy programme, the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieved first criticality-the initiation of a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction-on April 6 at 8:25 PM.

The achievement marks a significant step toward ensuring long-term energy security and advancing the country's indigenous nuclear technology capabilities.

The criticality was attained in the presence of Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC); Sreekumar G. Pillai, Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR); Allu Ananth, CMD-in-Charge of Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited; and K.V. Suresh Kumar, former...