To ensure long term availability of nuclear energy in a sustainable manner, taking cognisance of its resource position, India has followed the closed fuel cycle and chalked out a three-stage nuclear power programme based on uranium and thorium. The three stages of this programme comprise: (1) Natural uranium fuelled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, (2) Fast breeder reactors utilising plutonium based fuel, (3) Advanced nuclear power systems for utilization of thorium. PHWR technology has already reached maturity. The second stage of Indian nuclear power programme aims at setting up of Fast Breeder Reactors for power production and fissile material multiplication. The second stage has started with setting up of a Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to understand and master the fast reactor technology. The experience gained in fast reactor technology has led to the development of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, the construction of which is going on. The third stage of the Indian nuclear power programme envisages setting up of advanced nuclear power systems based on Thorium-U233 cycle. At present development work is going on the following advanced systems: (1) Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR); (2) Compact High Temperature Reactor; (3) Multipurpose Nuclear Power Pack; (4) High Temperature Reactor (HTR) for Hydrogen Production. The paper will focus on the salient design features of these advanced systems. Development of Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems in India P.D. Krishnani Email: pdkrish@barc.gov.in Reactor Physics Design Division Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai - 400 085, INDIA
