Abstract
India’s nuclear programme is on the verge of taking off. Imported light water reactors will only fulfil a part of India’s energy needs. The future of India’s nuclear programme will largely depend upon the success of the second and third stages of the programme. India’s nuclear energy programme will come of age only when fast breeder reactors and the thorium fuelled rectors are commercialised. Several countries which had experimented with breeder technology have abandoned their efforts. India is continuing with it. There are significant challenges that lie ahead but Indian scientists are optimistic. While progress up to 2020 remains reasonably sure, the future beyond 2020 is dependent upon several technological and institutional challenges that have yet to be overcome. But India has the capability to overcome these challenges.
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