India begins fuel loading at RAPP-8 nuclear reactor

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has commenced initial fuel loading at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) Unit 8. This milestone, achieved on 19 September 2026 following clearance from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, marks the transition of the 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) from construction to the commissioning phase.

RAPP-8 is part of a series of 16 indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs planned for deployment across India. The reactor is expected to reach commercial operation within the current financial year. Following fuel loading, the next major technical milestone will be the ‘First Approach to Criticality,’ where a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction begins, followed by phased power generation tests.

This expansion is central to India’s fleet-mode deployment strategy, which aims to standardize reactor technology to reduce costs and timelines. The successful commissioning of these units supports the nation’s long-term energy security goals and builds upon the domestic engineering development of previous 220 MWe and 540 MWe PHWR models.