Nuclear Policy: NPT, CTBT, NSG — Set 16

Correct Answer: B. Securing civilian nuclear materials to prevent nuclear terrorism

The four Nuclear Security Summits (Washington 2010, Seoul 2012, The Hague 2014, Washington 2016) focused on securing civilian nuclear materials — particularly highly enriched uranium and plutonium — to prevent nuclear terrorism. Leaders committed to reducing stockpiles, improving security, and ratifying relevant international conventions. India participated actively in all four summits.

Correct Answer: B. It developed and then voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program before joining the NPT

South Africa is the only country in history to have independently developed nuclear weapons and then voluntarily dismantled them. South Africa secretly built six nuclear devices under the apartheid regime and then dismantled all of them before joining the NPT in 1991. This unique case is often cited as a model for voluntary nuclear disarmament.

Correct Answer: B. Countries that received or transferred nuclear enrichment or reprocessing technology without IAEA safeguards

The Symington Amendment (1976) prohibits US economic and military assistance to any country that delivers or receives nuclear enrichment equipment or technology without IAEA safeguards. Pakistan triggered this amendment with its uranium enrichment program. The amendment was used to cut off US aid to Pakistan in the late 1970s before being waived during the Soviet-Afghan war period.

Correct Answer: C. European Pressurized Reactor (EPR)

The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project will use EDF's European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), also known as Evolutionary Power Reactor. It is planned to have six EPR reactors, each with a capacity of 1,650 MW, making it potentially the world's largest nuclear power plant. The project has faced delays due to land acquisition issues, nuclear liability concerns, and cost negotiations.

Correct Answer: B. It sought to create a missile defense shield to intercept nuclear warheads

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), announced by President Reagan in 1983, proposed developing a missile defense system that could intercept and destroy Soviet ICBMs before they reached US territory. Critics called it 'Star Wars.' SDI was controversial because nuclear deterrence theorists argued it would undermine strategic stability by making first-strike more attractive.

Correct Answer: B. Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (1963)

The Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (1963) is the primary international framework governing liability for nuclear accidents. It establishes that the operator of the nuclear facility bears strict and exclusive liability for nuclear damage. The Convention was amended in 1997 to increase liability amounts and expand the geographical scope of compensation.

Correct Answer: B. 1,700-2,200 each

The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), also known as the Moscow Treaty, signed in 2002, limited the USA and Russia to 1,700-2,200 operationally deployed strategic nuclear warheads each by 2012. It superseded START II and was later superseded by the New START treaty (2010). SORT lacked verification mechanisms, which was a criticism leveled against it.

Correct Answer: A. India supports complete nuclear disarmament through universal, non-discriminatory negotiations

India consistently advocates for complete, universal, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament achieved through a time-bound global framework. India refuses to accept the NPT's discriminatory framework and insists on a nuclear-weapons convention that applies to all states. India's Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan (1988) remains a landmark statement of this vision.