India Expands Fusion Research with Pragya and New Spherical Tokamak
Why in News?
India has strengthened its nuclear fusion research ecosystem in 2026 with two new compact spherical tokamak initiatives. Bengaluru-based Pranos Fusion unveiled Pragya, a privately developed compact, low-aspect-ratio tokamak, while the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in Gandhinagar commissioned its own spherical tokamak for plasma experiments. These developments expand India’s capabilities in magnetic confinement fusion, complementing existing facilities such as ADITYA-U and SST-1.
What is a Spherical Tokamak?
A tokamak is a magnetic confinement device used to study nuclear fusion by confining extremely hot plasma using magnetic fields. A spherical tokamak has a lower aspect ratio than conventional tokamaks. Its compact, spherical geometry can provide advantages for studying high-pressure plasma and advanced fusion technologies. Spherical tokamaks are therefore being explored as platforms for developing future fusion systems.
Pragya: India’s Private Fusion Initiative
Pragya, developed by Pranos Fusion, is a compact, low-aspect-ratio spherical tokamak. The machine was unveiled in Bengaluru in September 2026 and is intended as an experimental testbed, rather than a commercial electricity-generating reactor. It will support research into plasma control and technologies required for future fusion systems. Pranos Fusion is developing associated technologies including high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, which can help enable compact fusion devices.
IPR’s Spherical Tokamak
The Institute for Plasma Research, an autonomous research organisation under the Department of Atomic Energy, has also commissioned a compact spherical tokamak. IPR reported completion of major mechanical, magnetic and electrical integration and successful coil testing. The machine achieved first plasma, enabling experiments on low-aspect-ratio tokamak physics. The device complements IPR’s existing ADITYA-U and SST-1 tokamaks. Research areas include non-inductive plasma start-up, current drive and shaped plasma experiments.
India’s Fusion Research Ecosystem
India participates in ITER, the major international fusion research project located in France. The country’s domestic programme includes tokamak research, plasma physics, superconducting magnet technology and fusion engineering. The development of compact spherical tokamaks can help India build expertise for future fusion reactors.
Why is it Important?
Fusion research aims to reproduce the process that powers the Sun under controlled conditions on Earth. Compact tokamaks such as Pragya and IPR’s spherical tokamak can provide relatively accessible platforms for testing plasma-control methods, magnets and other fusion technologies.
New Spherical Tokamak: Important Facts for Exams
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Pragya | Compact spherical tokamak |
| Developer | Pranos Fusion |
| Location | Bengaluru |
| IPR location | Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| IPR device | Compact spherical tokamak |
| First plasma | Demonstrated at IPR |
| Existing IPR tokamaks | ADITYA-U and SST-1 |
| Fusion principle | Magnetic confinement |
| Advanced magnet technology | High-temperature superconducting magnets |
| ITER | International fusion project in France |
