Abstract: The status and development of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) were briefly summarized in the paper. The principle of PGNAA was introduced in detail. The international PGNAA facilities, the standardization of PGNAA k_0 method, and a wide range of high energy gamma ray efficiency calibration as well as the application of PGNAA for light elements determination, such as H, B, N, Cl etc., in new materials, environmental samples, biological and mineral samples were emphasized. In addition, a new simple thermal neutron beam facility for PGNAA spectrometer mounted on Heavy Water Research Reactor(HWRR) at China Institute of Atomic Energy was also introduced.