Masterclass 2: India's Fusion Energy program: current status and strategic roadmap
Speakers
Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, INDIA
Session Description
Session 2 focused on India’s fusion energy program, its scientific underpinnings, and possible pathways toward future leadership in fusion research. The speaker explained why fusion is strategically important for India, given the country’s rising energy demand and the need for clean, reliable base-load power. Fusion was presented as a long-term complement to renewables and nuclear fission, offering abundant fuel, high energy density, and inherent safety. The session highlighted why fusion has remained scientifically challenging, emphasizing the complex and unstable behavior of plasma at fusion temperatures. Major plasma instabilities that limit confinement in tokamaks were explained in simple terms, along with the control techniques developed over decades, including magnetic shaping, localized current drive, diagnostics, and real-time feedback. The talk then traced the evolution of India’s fusion efforts through devices such as Aditya, Aditya-U, and SST-1, and reviewed India’s significant contributions to ITER. The session concluded by comparing global fusion roadmaps and outlining a possible accelerated path for India, stressing the need for expanded domestic facilities, skilled manpower development, industry participation, and a clear national fusion policy.
Key Takeaways
- Understand why fusion energy is strategically relevant for India
- Learn how plasma instabilities limit fusion performance and why controlling them is essential
- Gain insight into the growth of India’s fusion program and ITER participation
- Recognise the importance of manpower, industry involvement, and long-term national planning
Why Attend
- Understand India's energy-security need for fusion.
- Learn India's past and present progress in fusion research.
- Hear the roadmap for India's future role in global fusion efforts.
Who Should Attend
This Masterclass will benefit students, researchers, and faculty from diverse fields including physics, materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering, and energy systems. It will also interest professionals from renewable energy, advanced materials, and technology sectors who wish to understand how fusion research could shape future energy solutions. Policymakers, R&D leaders, and industry stakeholders engaged in science and technology strategy will find valuable insights on aligning academic innovation, industrial development, and policy direction toward India’s and the world’s fusion mission.