A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Current Science by scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) — reported prominently on March 13, 2026 — questions the suitability of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium–Thorium (HALEU-Th) fuel for India's Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). The study concludes that HALEU-Th cannot be used as a direct drop-in fuel without significant structural modifications to India's existing reactor fleet.

HALEU-Th fuel — a combination of uranium enriched between 5–20% and thorium — is commercially marketed as 'ANEEL' (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) by US-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE). Its advocates claim it produces 50–60 GWd/tonne energy output and generates only 14% of the radioactive waste produced by conventional uranium fuel. BARC scientists, however, contend that the fuel may reduce the effectiveness of safety shutdown rods by 26%, and that HALEU itself is expensive and commercially scarce.

India's three-stage nuclear programme — conceived by Dr. Homi Bhabha — is built on natural uranium PHWRs (Stage 1), fast breeder reactors using plutonium (Stage 2), and ultimately thorium-based reactors (Stage 3). BARC's concern is that premature adoption of HALEU-Th could distort India's established nuclear roadmap and create strategic import dependency on enriched uranium. Rajasthan hosts two key nuclear plants — Rawatbhata Atomic Power Station (RAPS) and Mahi Banswara Nuclear Project — making nuclear energy policy directly relevant to the state's energy mix.