National Fusion Programme - India

The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) is an autonomous body of the Department of Atomic Energy dedicated to fundamental and applied research in the field of plasma physics and thermonuclear fusion and development of technologies relevant to these fields. The overall goal of pursuing thermonuclear fusion research is to develop it as a viable energy technology for future.

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is an important step on the path to develop nuclear fusion as a viable, long-term energy option. Realizing the importance of nuclear fusion to the future national energy security, India has joined ITER as an equal partner along with China, the EU, Japan, Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America. 

The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) is the domestic agency empowered to design, build and deliver advanced systems and sub-systems forming part of ITER, which have been assigned to India under this agreement. These include the ITER cryostat, Vacuum vessel in-wall shields, Cryodistribution lines and Cryolines, ITER water cooling system, RF power sources and associated power supplies, monitoring and control system, ECH Assisted Plasma Start-Up System, Regulated High Voltage Power Supplies, Diagnostics consisting of Optical Emission Plasma Diagnostics and Diagnostic Neutral Beam.

While IPR prepares for meeting its commitment to ITER, it has been realized that it is imperative to start planning and implementing a long-term programme aimed at developing competence in all aspects of fusion science and technology with a view to be ready to take up designing and building a demo reactor after the successful operation of ITER. This is the motivation behind launching the National Fusion Programme (NFP), in which academic Institutions and industries will be invited to take up research and development activities aimed at fulfilling the objectives outlined above.