Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantages of fast breeder reactor programme in India? (15 Marks)

India’s nuclear programme evolved from foundational research and indigenous fuel-cycle capability toward applications in power, medicine, agriculture and industry.

Growth and applications

• The Department of Atomic Energy and its institutions developed reactors, fuel fabrication, heavy water, reprocessing and radiation technologies.
• Nuclear applications support electricity generation, cancer therapy, food irradiation, mutation breeding, water treatment and industrial testing.
• Three-stage planning links natural uranium, plutonium and thorium resources to long-term energy security.

Fast breeder advantage

• Fast neutrons convert fertile uranium-238 into fissile plutonium while producing more fuel than consumed.
• They multiply energy extracted from limited uranium and create a bridge toward India’s abundant thorium resource.
• Closed fuel cycles reduce resource dependence and strengthen strategic autonomy.

Safety culture, waste management, cost control and public confidence remain essential to expansion.

Keywords: nuclear energy; atomic programme; fast breeder reactors.