The research in Heavy Water production was initiated by the Chemical Engineering division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in the 60s and was continued by the Heavy Water Division of the Centre where a Pilot Plant was operated for studying the H₂S-H₂0 exchange process. While these studies were in progress, a Heavy Water Plant at Nangal in Punjab was set up and commissioned in August, 1962.

To have a share of at least 10% of the national power demand by 2000 A.D., Department of Atomic Energy embarked on an ambitious programme of producing nuclear power of 10,000 MWe which required setting up a number of heavy water plants. This was also the time when the need for a separate organisation to oversee the planning and setting up of Heavy Water Plants was strongly felt. Accordingly an organisation known as the Heavy Water Projects was set up on May 1, 1969. The unit was headed by Shri S. Fareeduddin, eminent chemical engineer and Padmashree of 1967 for his outstanding contribution in the front end of nuclear fuel cycle. This was later renamed as Heavy Water Board with effect from February 17, 1989. Almost the entire group headed by Shri P.G. Deshpande of Heavy Water section BARC and Shri K.S. Bimbhat of HWB Nangal was transferred to Heavy Water Project in early 1969 where formed the core groups for H₂S-H₂O and NH₃-H₂ process respectively.

Heavy Water Plants based on Ammonia-Hydrogen exchange process were set up at Baroda and Tuticorin.

First plant based on Hydrogen Sulphide-water exchange process developed indigenously was set up at Rawatbhata near Kota, Rajasthan.

At present there are seven heavy water plants in India.