Is India ready for the AI revolution? The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, from generative AI tools to sophisticated machine learning algorithms, are transforming industries across the nation. From fintech's burgeoning use of AI-powered fraud detection to the agricultural sector's embrace of precision farming technologies, the impact is undeniable. This week saw a major breakthrough in indigenous 5G technology development, signaling India's growing prowess in the global tech landscape. But alongside this progress comes the crucial discussion surrounding data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of AI deployment. How will India navigate these challenges and harness the transformative power of technology for inclusive growth? Explore the latest developments in Indian tech, from the rise of digital payments to the burgeoning startup ecosystem, and discover how innovation is shaping the nation's future. Stay informed with Abtak.com – your gateway to understanding the tech revolution reshaping India.
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The Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) was set up to build the reactor in 2003 under the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Representational image The country's first indigenously built fast breeder reactor in Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam has attained criticality. The development was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. "Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme," Modi wrote on social media. "The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality." "It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers," Modi added. But what do we know about fast breeder reactors? Why is this development significant? Let's take a closer look What we know about reactor and how it works According to Indian Express, the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) was set up to build the reactor in 2003 under the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. It was designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam. It was built indigenously with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including several Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The project has been more than two decades in the making and has faced multiple technological challenges and delays along the way. According to India Today, this PFBR reactor runs on uranium-plutonium Mixed Oxide fuel (MOX). These comprise ceramic pellets that combine uranium and plutonium oxides. This reactor also uses liquid sodium as a coolant. This is in contrast to conventional nuclear reactors, which use water to cool down the system. Sodium metal, kept molten at around 200 degrees Celsius, transfers heat far more efficiently than water and, critically, does not slow down the fast-moving neutrons that make this reactor special. In addition, the reactor is designed as a "breeder", meaning it produces more fuel than it consumes. It does this by using fast neutrons to convert uranium-238 in a surrounding blanket into plutonium-239, which can then be reused as fuel. This process of nuclear transmutation allows the reactor to generate fresh fissile material while producing energy, according to Indian Express. The reactor has a capacity of 500 megawatt electric (MWe), enough to power several lakh homes, according to India Today. Attaining criticality means the reactor has achieved a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. This is where each fission event produces enough neutrons to sustain the process. It is a crucial milestone before electricity generation begins, confirming that the reactor core is functioning as designed, according to Indian Express. Why this development is significant This development is significant because it puts India on the path to entering a very elite club. Thus far, only Russia has a commercially operating fast breeder reactor programme, with its facility located at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant in the Ural Mountains. Once the Kalpakkam reactor becomes fully operational, India will be only the second country to achieve this, especially as countries such as the United States, France and Japan have scaled back similar programmes due to technical and safety challenges, according to I_ndian Express._ More importantly, the reactor is central to India's three-stage nuclear programme. The first stage relies on pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) that use natural uranium and produce plutonium as a by-product. The second stage -- where the PFBR fits in -- uses this plutonium to generate more fissile material. This is essential for building the inventory required for the third stage, which will be based on thorium. In this sense, fast breeder reactors act as the critical bridge between India's current uranium-based systems and its future thorium-based energy programme, according to Indian Express. This is crucial because India has limited uranium reserves but one of the largest thorium deposits in the world. Thorium itself is not directly usable as fuel and must be converted into uranium-233. Fast breeder reactors enable this process by providing the necessary neutron environment, effectively unlocking India's vast thorium potential, according to Indian Express. The PFBR also significantly improves fuel efficiency. Unlike conventional reactors, which use only a small fraction of uranium's energy potential, breeder reactors can extract far more energy by converting non-fissile material into usable fuel. Another advantage is the reduction of nuclear waste. Since breeder reactors use and recycle spent fuel from earlier stages, they help reduce the volume of long-lived radioactive waste. This supports India's "closed fuel cycle" approach, making nuclear power more sustainable over the long term. The development also has implications for India's energy security and climate goals. By reducing dependence on imported uranium and enabling the use of domestically available thorium, it strengthens long-term energy independence. At the same time, nuclear power provides a low-carbon source of electricity, supporting India's transition away from fossil fuels. Finally, the development highlights India's growing technological capability. The PFBR has been designed and built domestically, overcoming significant engineering challenges over more than two decades. It demonstrates India's ability to handle advanced nuclear technologies and strengthens its position in the global nuclear energy landscape, according to Indian Express. FAQs 1) What does 'criticality' mean in a nuclear reactor? Criticality refers to the stage where a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining chain reaction. This means each fission event produces enough neutrons to trigger another, allowing the reaction to continue steadily without external input. It is a key milestone before electricity generation begins. 2) Why is the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor important? The reactor is crucial because it forms part of the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme. It helps generate more nuclear fuel than it consumes and enables the production of materials needed for future thorium-based reactors, strengthening India's energy security. 3) How are fast breeder reactors different from conventional reactors? Unlike conventional reactors, which consume fuel, fast breeder reactors produce more fuel than they use. They achieve this by converting non-fissile materials like uranium-238 into usable fuel such as plutonium-239, making them more efficient and sustainable over the long term.
Kareena Kapoor Khan brought a deeply personal and touching element to her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by requesting him to write a heartfelt message for her two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan, who were unable to attend the event. A memorable highlight from the gathering showcased Kareena watching intently, her expression radiating pride and warmth, as the Prime Minister inscribed a note dedicated to her children, affectionately called "Tim and Jeh."Kareena Kapoor Khan added ...Read More >
Katra (JK), Jun 6 (PTI) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday raked up the issue of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the flagging off of the maiden train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this pilgrim town. "There are four persons on this stage who were present at the inauguration of the Katra railway station (in 2014). You had just won the election, becoming the Prime Minister for the first time. MoS in PMO Jeetendra Singh was present then and our LG Manoj Sinha sahib was discharging duties as MoS Railways and I was here as chief minister. "If you see, by the bl ...Read More >
Katra, June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan engineered Pahalgam terror attack to hurt Kashmir's economy and brotherhood in the country, but its evil designs failed and Indian Armed Forces hit the neighbouring country deep inside. "Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India and disrupt the livelihoods of hardworking Kashmiris. By attacking tourists, Pakistan aimed to damage the region's economy and peace," Modi said while addressing a massive gathering. Recalling the start of Operation Sindoor exactly a ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 8: A day before his Government marks its first anniversary in third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has redefined women-led development in its 11 years in power. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp In all sectors, including science, education, sports, start ups and the armed forces, women are excelling and inspiring several people, Modi said on X. He cited a number of welfare programmes which, he noted, have benefitted women immensely. Various initiatives, from ensuring dignity through Swachh ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted India's public health milestones, growing grassroots participation and women-led development efforts, while reflecting upon the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. In the 123rd edition of his monthly talk show Mann ki Baat, PM Modi recalled the nationwide enthusiasm surrounding the 10th International Yoga Day, observed on June 21. He noted in detail the wide-scale participation across the country and abroad, with the headline events in Visakhapatnam witnessing three lakh people perform yoga, and 2,000 tribal students condu ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during the 123rd episode of his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' condemned imposition of Emergency in the country and termed the period as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history. He said that country is observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas". During his address to the nation, he played rare archival audio of former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who described the Emergency as a time of constitutional murder, mass arrests, and the sup ...Read More >
AMRITSAR, India (AP) -- A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants arrived in a northern Indian city on Wednesday, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, airport officials said. The Indians who returned home had illegally entered the United States over the years and came from various Indian states. The move came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, which is expected next week. U.S. President Donald Trump and Modi discussed immigration in a phone call last week and Trump stressed the impo ...Read More >
Bagdogra (West Bengal) [India], May 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said improving connectivity remains one of the main achievements of his government, which has, over the past decade, ushered in a slew of rail and road projects, including in the Northeastern state of Sikkim. In his address delivered via videoconferencing at the Sikkim@50 event held at Gangtok's Palzor Stadium, the Prime Minister recalled a time when travel for education, healthcare, and employment was a major challenge for the region. However, he noted that the situation has changed significantly over the ...Read More >
Srinagar: Railway stations across the Kashmir Valley have been beautifully decked out as preparations peak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off the inaugural Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express -- the first-ever train connecting the valley directly to the rest of India. This landmark train will depart from Delhi and travel through Katra, the gateway to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, before reaching Srinagar. The event marks the successful culmination of one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, featuring two engineering marvels: the world's highest railway bridge o ...Read More >
Srinagar: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flagging off the Vande Bharat train service between Kashmir and Jammu today, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has demanded that the train should be renamed after the Pahalgam attack victim, who died while saving tourists. PDP spokesperson Zuhaib Mir said that while the train service between Jammu and Kashmir is a historical event, it should be renamed as 'Syed Adil Vande Bharat Express'. Syed Adil Shah of Pahalgam was the penny operator who was killed by terrorists in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Anantnag district on April 22, when 2 ...Read More >
Katra, June 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday described the launch of the Vande Bha-rat Express to Kashmir as a "historic accomplishment," saying the new railway link connecting the Valley with the rest of India will transform tourism, boost trade, and improve the daily lives of people across the region. Speaking at a large gathering in Katra after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Che-nab and Anji bridges and flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srina-gar, Abdullah said, "The benefits to Jammu and Kashmir will be substantial. Tourism will receive a ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 06: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. They expressed hope that the revered occasion brings peace and prosperity to the region. Dr Farooq Abdullah National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people on Eid-ul-Adha, wishing them peace, prosperity and unity. In his message, Dr Abdullah reflected on the profound significance of the day, saying, "As the Muslim Ummah comes together in celebration of Eid-ul-Azha, I extend my warmest greetings to ever ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Katra: Mixing humour with political resolve, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday used the flagging-off ceremony of the first train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra to subtly but clearly articulate his government's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Recalling the opening of the Katra Railway Station -- the last programme of his first government in 2014 -- Abdullah pointed to a "coincidence" that four people present at the event on Friday were also on stage that day. Humorously pointing out the differing career trajectories of the persons involve ...Read More >
Katra, June 6 -- Kashmir achieved a long-awaited milestone as its first all-weather railway connectivity to the rest of India was inaugurated Friday, a moment Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called a "historic accomplishment" that promises to transform the region's economy, tourism, and daily life, reported by Kashmir Media News. The inauguration ceremony, held at Katra, saw the formal opening of the iconic Chenab and Anji bridges, along with the launch of the Vande Bharat train to Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the event, accompanied by top dignitaries including Lieu ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 27 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 'Samman Program for Democracy Fighters on completion of 50 years of Emergency' organised at the Himalayan Cultural Centre, Dehradun. CM Dhami said that the period of Emergency will always be marked as a black chapter in Indian democratic history. Paying tribute to the democracy fighters, CM Dhami said, 'Today we are getting the privilege of honouring the great heroes who protected democracy. The period of Emergency will always be marked as a black chapter in Indian democratic his ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Dec 11) interacted with members of the Kapoor family who extended an invitation to him to join them in commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on Saturday (Dec 14). Members of the Kapoor family including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni were present during the brief interaction with the Prime Minister. Modi, who had the conversation with the Kapoor family on 100 years of cinematic legend Raj Kapoor, shared his ad ...Read More >
Mumbai: Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday rubbished Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks that the BJP's victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls ended the politics of betrayal and treachery started by him in 1978. "I was the chief minister in 1978. I am not aware about his whereabouts then," Pawar told reporters in Mumbai. "When I was the chief minister, there were people like Uttamrao Patil from Jan Sangh in my ministry," Pawar added. The decorum of the post of home minister should be maintained, the NCP (SP) chief said, bemoaning the lack of communication between present pol ...Read More >
After the banned CPI (Maoist)'s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju was killed in an encounter with security forces on May 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. In the Congress-ruled Telangana, however, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, says that the government should not use iron fist to wipe out Maoists but deal with them through "legal and constitutional means". He has urged the Centre to hold "peace talks" with the Maoists and declare a "ceasefire" w ...Read More >
Mumbai: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday claimed that Maharashtra's democracy was "butchered" in the 2024 assembly polls. He was referring to an article in the Indian Express by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who alleged that the Maharashtra polls were a "blueprint for rigging democracy". In the article, Gandhi said this poll "match-fixing" would next happen in the Bihar elections and "anywhere the BJP is losing". "With irrefutable facts and unflinching clarity, Rahul Gandhi has exposed a chilling truth: the mandate of the people in Maharash ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 29 (ANI): Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda were among those who listened to the 123rd episode of PM Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' in Gurugram on Sunday. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was also present during the occassion. Also Read | US: 24-Year-Old Indian Woman Simran Simran Goes Missing Days After Arriving for Arranged Marriage in New Jersey, Investigation Underway. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the program in Dehradun, whereas Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Patha ...Read More >
After the banned CPI (Maoist)'s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju was killed in an encounter between Maoists and security forces on May 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. In the Congress-ruled Telangana, however, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, says that the government should not use iron fist to wipe out Maoists but deal with them through "legal and constitutional means". He has urged the Centre to hold "peace talks" with the Maoists and declare ...Read More >
Guwahati, June 6 (UNI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while slamming Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his 'surrender Modi' jibe, took his followers through a "reality check" as to which party and family surrendered India's interest and territory. "Rahul Gandhi has the audacity to mock the Prime Minister despite the massive success of OperationSindoor . Let's jog his memory as to which party and family has surrendered India's interest and territory, and backstabbed the people with their treachery," said the Assam Chief Minister on his X handle. "1947-48 - PoK Betrayal: It was Nehru who ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on those who imposed the Emergency in 1975, saying it was not just a "murder of the Constitution" but also an attempt to turn the judiciary into a "slave." In his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat', PM Modi urged the nation to remember the resilience of those who resisted the Emergency and to draw inspiration from their courage to safeguard the Constitution. "Those who imposed Emergency not only murdered our Constitution but also had the intention to keep the judiciary as their slave," P ...Read More >
Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday that he held discussions on cabinet expansion with union home minister Amit Shah, party national president J P Nadda, and the party national general secretary B L Santhosh on Wednesday night. Fadnavis was on a two-day visit to Delhi days after being sworn in as chief minister. He met President Draupudi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari. He also presented five different ...Read More >