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 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. This was later renamed as the present Heavy Water Board with effect from February 17,1989.

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 at BARC, was set up at Rawatbhata near Kota, Rajasthan.

At present there are eight heavy water plants in India.