The Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) has been designed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) to achieve large-scale use of thorium for the generation of commercial nuclear power. This reactor will produce most of its power from thorium, with no external input of uranium- 233 in the equilibrium cycle. The AHWR is a 300 MWe, vertical, pressure tube type, boiling light water-cooled, and heavy water-moderated reactor. The reactor incorporates a number of passive safety features and is associ­ated with a closed fuel cycle, thus having reduced environmental impact. At the same time, efforts have been made to incorporate several features that are likely to reduce its capital and operating costs. The basic design of the reactor and detailed design of its major nuclear systems have been com­pleted. The research, design, and demonstration (RD&D) for AHWR has been and is being performed at the BARC. The Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has carried out a pre-licensing safety appraisal of the AHWR. Subsequently, the regulatory clearances for different stages of construction, starting from plant siting and procurement of long-delivery major equipment, will be progressively sought. The construction of the AHWR prototype is likely to commence in 2011.