BARC: from the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay to Apsara, the first research reactor in Asia to achieve criticality
Background
Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha established the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) in January 1954 for a multidisciplinary research programme essential for India's nuclear programme.
After the demise of Bhabha in 1966, AEET was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Bhabha had earlier established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and he also established the BARC Training School to meet the manpower needs of the programme.
APSARA achieved criticality on August 4, 1956 and was the first research reactor in Asia to achieve criticality.
Apsara-U (Apsara-Upgraded) was commissioned and achieved its First Approach to Criticality on 10th September 2018, using indigenously developed Low Enriched Uranium fuel in Uranium Silicide form.
Indigenously built Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors form the backbone of the first stage of the Indian nuclear power programme, and plutonium-239 extracted from spent fuel serves as fuel for the Fast Breeder Reactors of the second stage.
In plain words
AEET Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay — The original name of BARC, set up in January 1954.
PHWR Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor — Indigenously built PHWRs form the backbone of the first stage of India's nuclear power programme.
LEU Low Enriched Uranium — Apsara-U uses indigenously developed LEU fuel in Uranium Silicide form.