Question 1

India's first nuclear test, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha', was conducted in which year?

Accepted Answer

1974. India conducted its first nuclear test, officially codenamed 'Smiling Buddha' (Operation Pokhran-I), on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran in Rajasthan. It was a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE) as India claimed. Dr. Raja Ramanna led the team of scientists. This made India the sixth country to conduct a nuclear test.

Question 2

India's second series of nuclear tests in 1998 was codenamed:

Accepted Answer

Operation Shakti. India conducted five nuclear tests at Pokhran from 11–13 May 1998 under the codename 'Operation Shakti' (also known as Pokhran-II). The tests included two fission devices and one thermonuclear device. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced India as a nuclear-armed state after the tests. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. R. Chidambaram led the scientific team.

Question 3

The thermonuclear device tested during Pokhran-II in 1998 was codenamed:

Accepted Answer

Shakti-I. During Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) on 11 May 1998, three devices were tested simultaneously — Shakti-I (thermonuclear), Shakti-II (fission), and Shakti-III (sub-kiloton). Two more sub-kiloton tests were conducted on 13 May 1998. The thermonuclear yield of Shakti-I was estimated at 43-45 kilotons. India became the sixth country to test a thermonuclear weapon.

Question 4

India's Nuclear Doctrine of 2003 is based on which primary principle?

Accepted Answer

No First Use (NFU). India's Nuclear Doctrine, formalised in January 2003, is based on No First Use (NFU) — India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict. The doctrine also includes credible minimum deterrence, massive retaliation against a nuclear attack, and no use against non-nuclear states. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) oversees India's nuclear policy.

Question 5

India's Nuclear Doctrine states that in retaliation for a nuclear attack on India, India will respond with:

Accepted Answer

Massive retaliation to inflict unacceptable damage. India's 2003 Nuclear Doctrine explicitly states that nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. This is the concept of assured destruction — the aggressor will suffer severe consequences. The doctrine also states India reserves the right to use nuclear weapons against biological or chemical weapon attacks. Civilian political authority exercises control over nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 1