The Dhruva reactor is India's largest nuclear research reactor. It was the first nuclear reactor in Asia proper.^[1] Located in the Mumbai suburb of Trombay at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), it is India's primary generator of weapons-grade plutonium-bearing spent fuel for its nuclear weapons program. Originally named the R-5, this open pool reactor first went critical on 8 August 1985 after 10 years of construction. However, the unit did not attain full power until 1988.^[2] The reactor experienced at least one serious accident when 4 metric tons (3.9 long tons) of heavy water overflowed from the reactor core in 1985 following vibration problems.^[3]

Designed as a larger version of the CIRUS reactor, Dhruva was an Indian designed project built to provide an independent source of weapons-grade plutonium free from safeguards.^[4] The Dhruva project cost 950 million rupees. The reactor uses heavy water (deuterium) as a moderator and coolant. Aluminum clad fuel rods containing natural uranium are used to obtain a maximum thermal power output of 100 megawatts.^[3] The reactor can produce 20–25 kilograms (44–55 lb) of weapons-grade plutonium per year.^{[5] [6]}

Dhruva, in Indian mythology, is a prince blessed to eternal existence and glory as the Pole Star by Vishnu. It can also mean 'immovable' in Sanskrit.^[7]

• N. S. Satya Murthy
• India and weapons of mass destruction

• David Albright (7 May 2005). "India's Military Plutonium Inventory, End 2004" (PDF). ISIS.

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