India has commissioned the world's first hydrogen production facility using the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle powered by nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.

Developed jointly by BARC and IGCAR, the demonstration plant marks a significant step in diversifying India's clean hydrogen production beyond renewable-powered electrolysis. The technology uses high-temperature nuclear heat to produce hydrogen without direct carbon emissions, offering a reliable, round-the-clock alternative for large-scale hydrogen production.

The project, inaugurated by DAE Secretary Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, will help validate the indigenous Cu–Cl process and generate operational data for future commercial deployment.

The milestone strengthens India's clean hydrogen ecosystem by adding nuclear-assisted hydrogen as a potential pathway to support industrial decarbonisation, energy security, and the country's long-term hydrogen ambitions.