Nuclear Programme & Policy — Set 9

Correct Answer: B. NPT

India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968, which India considers discriminatory as it creates two classes of states (nuclear haves and have-nots). India is a member of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and has signed the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT, 1963) which bans atmospheric nuclear testing. India has not signed the NPT or CTBT but follows responsible nuclear stewardship and does not engage in proliferation activities.

Correct Answer: B. It is a canisterised, road-mobile MRBM with MIRV capability, enhancing deterrence

Agni-Prime (Agni-P) is a next-generation canisterised road-mobile medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 1000-2000 km. Tested successfully in 2021, it features advanced composite materials (lighter than older Agni variants) and is capable of carrying MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles). Canisterisation reduces launch preparation time significantly. Agni-P is expected to replace older Agni-I and Agni-II missiles in India's strategic arsenal, offering greater mobility and survivability.

Correct Answer: D. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force)

India's nuclear scientists and facilities are protected by the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), which provides security at all DAE installations including BARC, NPCIL plants, and other nuclear facilities. Additionally, intelligence agencies (IB for domestic, RAW for external) monitor threats to nuclear scientists. After the assassination of Pakistani nuclear scientist incidents, India has significantly enhanced security for its nuclear establishment. BARC and other DAE facilities have CISF permanent security detachments.

Correct Answer: A. 1998 included thermonuclear tests; 1974 was only fission

The key difference is that Pokhran-I (1974) was a single fission device test (officially described as PNE — Peaceful Nuclear Explosion), while Pokhran-II (1998) included five tests — a thermonuclear device (Shakti-I), a fission device (Shakti-II), and three sub-kiloton devices. This represented advancement from basic fission to thermonuclear capability. The 1974 test proved India's ability to make a nuclear device; the 1998 tests established a full nuclear weapons programme.

Correct Answer: B. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the USA

AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) is India's nuclear regulatory authority, analogous to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the USA. AERB was established in 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act. It regulates nuclear and radiation safety for civilian nuclear installations in India. Unlike the US NRC, AERB lacks full independence — it reports to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which is also the promoter of nuclear energy, creating a potential conflict of interest. The proposed Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority (NSRA) bill aims to address this.

Correct Answer: B. 1988

The original Indo-Soviet agreement for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant was signed in 1988 between India and the Soviet Union during PM Rajiv Gandhi's government. After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Russia continued the agreement. The final agreement for construction was signed in 1997. Kudankulam Units 1 and 2 (1000 MWe VVER each) were commissioned in 2013 and 2017. Russia is supplying lifetime fuel for the reactors under guaranteed supply agreements.

Correct Answer: C. Designing nuclear warheads

The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) does not design nuclear warheads — that is the responsibility of BARC scientists. The NCA's functions include authorising nuclear weapons use (Political Council under PM), overseeing nuclear doctrine, reviewing nuclear policy, and ensuring command and control of India's nuclear forces. The Executive Council of NCA (chaired by NSA) handles the technical and operational aspects. Nuclear warhead design, development, and production remains within the scientific domain of DAE/BARC.

Correct Answer: B. India's Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test

Mission Shakti was India's Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test conducted on 27 March 2019. India used a modified PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) missile to destroy an Indian satellite (Microsat-R) in Low Earth Orbit at 283 km altitude. PM Narendra Modi announced the success on national television. India became the fourth country (after USA, Russia, China) to demonstrate ASAT capability. The operation was conducted in about 3 minutes by DRDO. India creates 'Mission Shakti' as a defensive measure.

Correct Answer: B. Naval reactor fuel for nuclear submarines

India's uranium enrichment facility at Rattehalli produces Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) primarily for fuelling naval propulsion reactors in India's nuclear submarines (INS Arihant, INS Arighat). India's civilian PHWRs use natural uranium (no enrichment needed). India keeps its naval and weapons-related enrichment programme outside IAEA safeguards. The HEU enrichment capability for naval reactors is a sensitive technology that India has developed indigenously.

Correct Answer: C. 500

According to SIPRI Yearbook 2024, China has approximately 500 nuclear warheads, representing a significant increase from previous years (291 in 2022). China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and is expected to reach 1000 warheads by 2030. This expansion has implications for India's nuclear deterrence, as India must maintain credible deterrence against both Pakistan (170 warheads) and China (500+ warheads). India's arsenal of 172 warheads is thus under strategic pressure to grow.