Nuclear Programme & Policy
Defence GK · परमाणु कार्यक्रम और नीति
📋Quick Overview
India's nuclear programme began in 1944 under Dr. Homi J. Bhabha with the establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). India is one of 9 states with nuclear weapons and one of only 3 (along with Pakistan and Israel) not to have signed the NPT. India's nuclear doctrine is based on 'Credible Minimum Deterrence' with a firm 'No First Use' (NFU) policy.
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Pokhran-I (1974): Codename 'Smiling Buddha' — India became 6th nuclear-armed state. Pokhran-II (1998): Codename 'Operation Shakti' — 5 tests in 3 days, declared India a nuclear weapons state.
📖Nuclear Tests — Pokhran I & II
| Test | Date | Codename | PM / Key Person | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokhran-I | May 18, 1974 | Smiling Buddha | PM Indira Gandhi | Single underground test; peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE) claim; 8 kt yield |
| Pokhran-II (Test 1) | May 11, 1998 | Operation Shakti | PM A.B. Vajpayee + Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam | 3 simultaneous tests; thermonuclear (45 kt) + fission (15 kt) + sub-kiloton |
| Pokhran-II (Test 2) | May 13, 1998 | Operation Shakti | Same team | 2 more sub-kiloton tests; India declared nuclear weapons state |
📖India's Nuclear Doctrine
- •No First Use (NFU): India will NOT be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict
- •Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD): Enough weapons to deter any potential adversary
- •Massive Retaliation: If nuclear weapons are used against India or its forces, India will respond with massive nuclear retaliation
- •Nuclear Command Authority (NCA): Chaired by PM; Political Council + Executive Council
- •Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): India has NOT signed — considers itself a nuclear weapon state
- •CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty): India has NOT signed — maintains right to test
📖Nuclear Infrastructure — Key Institutions
| Institution | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|
| DAE (Dept of Atomic Energy) | Mumbai | Apex body for civilian and military nuclear programme; under PM |
| BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) | Trombay, Mumbai | India's premier nuclear research facility; weapons design |
| NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corp) | Mumbai | Operates all commercial nuclear power plants |
| IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) | Kalpakkam, TN | Fast breeder reactor research; thorium programme |
📖Nuclear Power Plants in India
- •Tarapur (Maharashtra): India's oldest nuclear power plant (est. 1969); US-supplied BWR reactors
- •Rawatbhata (Rajasthan): Also called RAPS; CANDU-type heavy water reactors
- •Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu): Russia-built; VVER-1000 reactors; 2 units operational, 4 more under construction
- •Kaiga (Karnataka), Kakrapar (Gujarat), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) — also operational PHWRs
- •India's 3-stage nuclear programme: Stage 1 (PHWR-U235), Stage 2 (FBR-Pu239), Stage 3 (Thorium-U233)