Nuclear Policy: NPT, CTBT, NSG — Set 8
International Relations · परमाणु नीति: NPT, CTBT, NSG · Questions 71–80 of 158
Which Indian city is home to the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)?
Correct Answer: C. Kalpakkam (Chennai)
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is located at Kalpakkam near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is India's premier research institution for fast breeder reactor technology, which forms the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power program. IGCAR developed India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW, 2017)?
Correct Answer: B. A legally binding treaty that prohibits nuclear weapons comprehensively
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted in 2017 and entered into force in 2021, is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons. It bans the development, testing, production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons. None of the nuclear-armed states or their allies have signed the treaty, including India.
India's nuclear doctrine was reviewed and certain changes were suggested in 2003. What was the key new element added?
Correct Answer: A. India would use nuclear weapons in response to chemical or biological attacks
The 2003 refinement of India's nuclear doctrine added that India would respond with nuclear weapons if Indian forces anywhere are attacked with biological or chemical weapons. This expanded the 'massive retaliation' threat beyond nuclear attacks. This was a significant broadening of India's nuclear use threshold.
Which organization publishes the annual yearbook that includes estimates of global nuclear arsenals?
Correct Answer: C. SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)
SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) publishes the annual SIPRI Yearbook, which includes authoritative estimates of global nuclear arsenals. The yearbook is a key reference for nuclear policy research. SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research on conflict, armaments, and disarmament.
The Wassenaar Arrangement was established in which city?
Correct Answer: D. Wassenaar, Netherlands
The Wassenaar Arrangement was established in 1996 in Wassenaar, a village near The Hague in the Netherlands. It succeeded the Cold War-era COCOM (Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls). The arrangement has 42 participating states and controls exports of conventional arms and dual-use goods.
The India-USA nuclear deal faced domestic opposition in India primarily from:
Correct Answer: C. Left parties (CPI-M, CPI)
The India-USA Civil Nuclear Deal faced fierce domestic opposition from left parties, particularly the CPI(M) and CPI, who were coalition partners of the UPA government. They argued the deal compromised India's strategic autonomy and foreign policy independence. The left parties eventually withdrew support from the UPA government over the deal.
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata was built with cooperation from:
Correct Answer: C. Canada
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata was built with Canadian cooperation using the CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor design. Canada suspended nuclear cooperation with India after the 1974 Pokhran test. India subsequently indigenized the CANDU design to create its Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) program.
India's position on the NPT is best described as:
Correct Answer: B. India views NPT as discriminatory and does not plan to join
India consistently views the NPT as a discriminatory treaty that creates an unequal world order by entrenching the nuclear privilege of the P5. India has categorically rejected calls to join the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state. India advocates for universal, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament rather than selective non-proliferation.
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was originally established in 1987 by:
Correct Answer: B. G7 countries
The MTCR was established in April 1987 by the G7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA. It aims to limit the proliferation of missiles, drones, and related technology capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction. It has since expanded to 35 member countries.
India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in which year?
Correct Answer: D. 2017
India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in December 2017, becoming its 42nd member. This followed India's entry into the MTCR in June 2016. India's membership in all four major export control regimes (MTCR, Australia Group, Wassenaar, and the NSG waiver) has strengthened its non-proliferation credentials.