Explanation:

All statements are correct.

Fast Breeder Reactor (FBRs)

Recently 'core loading' process began at the Kalpakkam Fast Breeder reactor which marks a critical milestone in the country's 3-stage nuclear power programme.

• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBRs) are a type of nuclear reactor which can create more fissile material (fuel) than they consume.

• This is achieved by converting fertile material into fissile material through a process called nuclear transmutation.

• India's nuclear power program – Is a three-stage plan designed to utilize the country's thorium reserves for generating electricity.

The 3 Stages of India's Nuclear Power Program:

• Stage 1: Setting up Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) that use natural uranium as fuel. (Currently operational)

• Stage 2 (Current Stage): Introduce Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) like the Kalpakkam FBR.

• FBRs use Pu239 (extracted from spent fuel of PHWRs) to generate electricity.

• Surround the reactor core with a fertile material blanket (U238).

• Fast neutrons from the core convert U238 in the blanket to more Pu239, breeding new fuel.

• Stage 3 (Future Stage): Utilize Thorium (abundant in India) for power generation.

• Thorium itself is not fissile, but can be converted to fissile Uranium-233 (U233) in FBRs.

Hence option 3rd is correct.