The CIRUS reactor, pivotal to India’s early nuclear endeavors, was permanently closed by the Congress-led UPA government in December 2010 amid external pressure allegations. Commissioned in 1960 with Canadian and US assistance, the 40-megawatt reactor played a vital role in India’s nuclear research and plutonium production.
Originally intended for neutron physics research and isotope production, CIRUS significantly contributed to India’s nuclear capabilities, including the 1974 nuclear test. The reactor’s shutdown in 2010 was a result of the India-US civil nuclear agreement, marking a strategic shift in India’s nuclear policy.
The decision to close CIRUS, a move criticized by some for limiting India’s plutonium production, was seen as a step towards integrating India into global nuclear commerce. The reactor’s closure sparked debates on national security priorities and international agreements, highlighting the complexities of India’s nuclear history.
