India has commissioned the world's first hydrogen production facility based on nuclear process heat using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
It has been developed as a technology demonstrator to validate hydrogen production using nuclear process heat from fast reactors, marking a major breakthrough in clean energy and advanced nuclear technology.
The indigenous technology has been jointly developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and IGCAR.
The integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production enables the generation of carbon-free hydrogen with higher efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional methods.
The achievement supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, strengthens the country's energy security, and advances its commitment towards Net Zero emissions by 2070.
About the Nuclear Hydrogen Production Facility
Key Highlights
Technology: Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle
Location: Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
Developed by: BARC and IGCAR
Inaugurated by: Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty
Purpose: Demonstrate hydrogen production using nuclear process heat from fast reactors.
What is the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle?
The Cu-Cl Thermochemical Cycle is an advanced hydrogen production technology that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using:
Nuclear process heat
Electricity
Chemical reactions involving copper and chlorine compounds
Advantages
Produces carbon-free hydrogen
Requires lower operating temperatures than many other thermochemical cycles
Offers higher thermodynamic efficiency
Reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Additional Key Facts
National Green Hydrogen Mission
Launched: January 2023
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Financial Outlay: ₹19,744 crore
Objectives
Produce 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030
Make India a global hub for green hydrogen
Reduce fossil fuel imports
Promote decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Established: 1954
Headquarters: Mumbai
Director: Vivek Bhasin
Functions under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
India's premier nuclear research institution
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
Established: 1971
Location: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
Director: C G Karhadkar
Functions under the Department of Atomic Energy
Specialises in:
Fast Breeder Reactor technology
Advanced nuclear systems
Materials and reactor engineering
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Established: 1954
Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy: Jitendra Singh
Functions directly under the Prime Minister
Responsible for:
Nuclear power
Atomic research
Nuclear fuel cycle
Strategic nuclear programmes
Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
A Fast Breeder Reactor:
Produces more fissile fuel than it consumes
Uses fast neutrons instead of slow (thermal) neutrons
Is a key component of India's three-stage nuclear power programme
Can provide both electricity and high-temperature process heat, making it suitable for hydrogen production.
Why Nuclear-Assisted Hydrogen?
Compared with conventional hydrogen production, nuclear-assisted hydrogen:
Produces near-zero carbon emissions
Provides continuous (24×7) hydrogen production
Is less dependent on weather than solar or wind energy
Can support industries such as:
Fertilisers
Refineries
Steel
Heavy transport
Energy storage
Exam Focus Points (Quick Revision Notes)
Achievement in News → World's first nuclear process heat-based hydrogen production facility
Location → IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
Technology Used → Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle
Developed by → BARC & IGCAR
Inaugurated by → Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty
Administrative Department → Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Related Mission → National Green Hydrogen Mission
Mission Target → 5 MMT green hydrogen annually by 2030
UPSC - 2027 - Prelims cum Mains - New Batch Starts on 24-06-2026 
