Indian Atomic Research Program – Complete Notes
🔹 Introduction
India’s atomic research program represents the country’s pursuit of self-reliance in nuclear science, energy security, and strategic defense capability.
The journey began right after independence under Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, known as the Father of the Indian Nuclear Program.
🧭 Historical Background
| Year | Event / Development | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) established | Founded by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha with JRD Tata’s support; foundation of Indian nuclear research. |
| 1948 | Atomic Energy Act passed | Set up the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) on 10 August 1948. |
| 1954 | Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) created | Under direct control of the Prime Minister; Dr. Bhabha became first secretary. |
| 1955 | India participated in Geneva Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy | Marked India’s commitment to using atomic power for peaceful purposes. |
| 1956 | Apsara Reactor commissioned | India’s first nuclear reactor (Asia’s first too); built with help from the UK. |
| 1960s | Expansion phase | Research reactors like CIRUS and Zerlina commissioned. |
| 1962 | Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) established | Renamed from Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) after Dr. Bhabha’s death in 1966. |
| 1974 | First Nuclear Test – “Smiling Buddha” | Conducted at Pokhran, Rajasthan. |
| 1998 | Pokhran-II tests (Operation Shakti) | India declared itself a nuclear weapon state. |
| 2008 | India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement | Allowed India to access nuclear fuel and technology from abroad. |
👨🔬 Key Scientists and Contributors
| Scientist | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Dr. Homi J. Bhabha | Father of Indian Nuclear Program; founded TIFR, AEC, DAE; designed India’s 3-stage nuclear power plan. |
| Dr. Vikram Sarabhai | Developed space and nuclear linkages; established ISRO. |
| Dr. Raja Ramanna | Directed the Pokhran-I test in 1974. |
| Dr. Anil Kakodkar | Led Pokhran-II; developed indigenous reactors (like AHWR). |
| Dr. R. Chidambaram | Chief Scientific Advisor; key role in Operation Shakti (1998). |
| Dr. P. K. Iyengar | Instrumental in CIRUS reactor and reprocessing technology. |
⚛️ India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme
| Stage | Fuel Used | Reactor Type | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage I | Natural Uranium (U-238 & U-235) | Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) | Generate energy and produce Plutonium-239. |
| Stage II | Plutonium-239 + Depleted Uranium | Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) | Breed more fuel (U-233 from Thorium). |
| Stage III | Thorium (Th-232) + U-233 | Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) | Achieve sustainable thorium-based energy cycle. |
🧪 Nuclear Tests Conducted by India
| Year | Test Name | Location | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Smiling Buddha | Pokhran (Rajasthan) | First nuclear test; peaceful nuclear explosion. |
| 1998 (May 11-13) | Operation Shakti I–V (Pokhran-II) | Pokhran | Five nuclear tests (fission and thermonuclear); led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam & Dr. R. Chidambaram. |
🏭 Major Nuclear Power Plants in India
| Plant | Location | State | Capacity (approx.) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) | Tarapur | Maharashtra | 1,400 MW | First nuclear power plant (with USA, 1969). |
| Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) | Rawatbhata | Rajasthan | 1,180 MW | India’s first indigenously built reactor. |
| Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) | Kalpakkam | Tamil Nadu | 440 MW | PHWR reactors. |
| Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) | Bulandshahr | Uttar Pradesh | 440 MW | Indigenous PHWRs. |
| Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) | Surat | Gujarat | 1,340 MW | Latest KAPP-3 commissioned 2023. |
| Kaiga Generating Station | Kaiga | Karnataka | 880 MW | Indigenous reactors. |
| Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) | Tirunelveli | Tamil Nadu | 2,000 MW | Jointly with Russia (Rosatom). |
| Chennai Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) | Kalpakkam | Tamil Nadu | 500 MW | Under construction (by BHAVINI). |
| Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Project | Haryana | Haryana | 1,400 MW | Under development. |
🌊 Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPs)
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Concept: Reactors installed on floating platforms, ensuring power supply to coastal or remote regions.
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India’s Progress:
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In 2022–25, India began exploring FNPs with support from Russia (Rosatom) and indigenous designs inspired by Akademik Lomonosov (Russia’s floating plant).
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Objective: To supply electricity to islands (Andaman-Nicobar, Lakshadweep) and coastal industries.
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🌐 International Cooperation
| Country | Collaboration / Project |
|---|---|
| USA | 2008 Civil Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement) – allowed uranium import and reactor technology. |
| Russia | Kudankulam reactors, proposed future units (KKNPP-3 & 4). |
| France | Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (6 units of EPR reactors). |
| Canada | CIRUS reactor (1950s) – early collaboration. |
| UK | Helped build Apsara reactor (first in Asia). |
| Japan | 2016 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (technology and safety exchange). |
| Australia | Supplies uranium post-2014 agreement. |
🔰 Regulatory and Research Bodies
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) | Policy-making and implementation. |
| Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) | Main R&D center for nuclear technology. |
| Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) | Works on Fast Breeder Reactors. |
| Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) | Builds and operates commercial nuclear power plants. |
| Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) | Ensures safety standards in nuclear installations. |
| BHAVINI | Constructs Fast Breeder Reactors (Kalpakkam). |
🧾 Important Current Updates (Till 2025)
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KAPP-3 (Kakrapar Unit 3) became India’s first 700 MW indigenously built reactor, synchronized to grid in 2023.
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Kudankulam Units 5 & 6 under construction with Russian collaboration.
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India developing Thorium reactors (AHWR-300) for Stage-III of the program.
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Plans for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to meet industrial power demand.
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Goal: 22,480 MW nuclear capacity by 2032.
⚙️ India’s Indigenous Capabilities
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India has mastered nuclear fuel cycle technology — from mining, fuel fabrication, reprocessing, to waste management.
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Developed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) without foreign aid.
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Produces heavy water (D₂O) domestically at plants in Kota, Thalcher, and Manuguru.
📘 Important Points for Exams
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Father of Indian Nuclear Program – Dr. Homi J. Bhabha
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First Nuclear Test (1974) – “Smiling Buddha” at Pokhran
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Operation Shakti (1998) – Declared India as a nuclear power
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First Reactor in Asia – Apsara, 1956 (with UK help)
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First Nuclear Power Plant – Tarapur, Maharashtra (1969)
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Nuclear Deal with USA – 2008 (Manmohan Singh–Bush Agreement)
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India not a member of NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty)
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India’s Nuclear Fuel: Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium
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Regulatory Body: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
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Stage-III Target: Thorium-based sustainable energy system
🎯 Most Repeated MCQs
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Father of Indian Nuclear Program: Dr. Homi J. Bhabha ✅
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First Nuclear Reactor: Apsara ✅
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Location of Pokhran Test: Rajasthan ✅
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India’s first Nuclear Power Plant: Tarapur ✅
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India’s Nuclear Regulatory Body: AERB ✅
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Which Country Helped in Kudankulam Plant? Russia ✅
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India’s Nuclear Policy is based on: Peaceful use of nuclear energy ✅
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Thorium is used in: Stage-III of Nuclear Power Programme ✅
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Nuclear Deal with USA signed in: 2008 ✅
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700 MW PHWR Commissioned at: Kakrapar (Gujarat) ✅