India’s Nuclear Energy Ambitions

India’s nuclear energy journey began post-independence, achieving an installed capacity of 8,180 MW, including 2,000 MW from Russia. While India excels in pressurized heavy water reactors and thorium potential, the second stage of the three-stage nuclear programme faces delays. Projects like the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) remain incomplete. Innovative technologies like Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Systems (ADSS) and Indian High-Temperature Reactors (IHTR) show promise but progress slowly. With increasing global emphasis on clean energy, overcoming delays and leveraging thorium reserves are critical for meeting energy security and sustainability goals.