Kalpakkam
6 events, 1970 to 2026.
1970
Construction of Madras Atomic Power Station begins at Kalpakkam
Work began on the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam, India's first indigenously built nuclear power station.

1971
Reactor Research Centre set up at Kalpakkam
An order by Vikram Sarabhai set up the Reactor Research Centre at Kalpakkam, which later became the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.
1984
First unit of Madras Atomic Power Station reaches full power
At Kalpakkam, MAPS-1, the first nuclear power reactor India built largely on its own, reached full-power operation.

1985
Fast Breeder Test Reactor at Kalpakkam reaches criticality
India's Fast Breeder Test Reactor at Kalpakkam reached first criticality, making India the seventh nation able to build and run a breeder reactor.

1986
Second unit of Madras Atomic Power Station commissioned
The second 220 MW unit of the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam was commissioned, completing the two-unit station.

2026
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam reaches criticality
India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026.