India’s first nuclear reactor, Apsara, was also the first nuclear reactor in Asia. It went critical on August 4, 1956, at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Trombay, marking the beginning of India’s nuclear energy program. The design was conceptualized by Dr. Homi Bhabha and constructed entirely by Indian engineers in just about 15 months. This achievement showcased India’s growing expertise in nuclear technology.

Apsara is a swimming-pool-type reactor that uses enriched uranium as fuel. Its fuel core is suspended from a movable trolley inside a water-filled pool. The pool water acts as a coolant, moderator, reflector, and also provides radiation shielding. This simple yet effective design laid the foundation for India’s future nuclear research and power generation.