To conduct a broad based multidisciplinary programme of scientific research and advanced engineering development, directed towards the establishment of the technology of Sodium Cooled Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) and associated fuel cycle facilities in the Country. The mission includes the development and applications of new and improved materials, techniques, equipment and systems for FBRs, pursue basic research to achieve breakthroughs in Fast Reactor technology.
Research on fast reactors in India started at BARC in Mumbai. Subsequently, Kalpakkam saw the establishment of RRC with the same goals.Between 1975 and 1976, the Central Workshop, Safety Research Laboratory, and Materials Sciences Laboratory were built. The Electronics and Instrumentation Lab and the Radio-Chemistry Lab were soon built.
One of India's top nuclear research facilities is the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). Located in Kalpakkam, 80 km south of Chennai, India, it is the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) second-largest site after the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Because of Vikram Sarabhai's vision, it was founded in 1971 as an exclusive center devoted to the advancement of fast reactor science and technology. It was formerly known as the Reactor Research Centre (RRC).