Question 18 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Current Affairs

Question

Consider the following countries:
1. China
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
5. Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 2 only

Strategy: Recall the official NPT definition, which recognizes only states that tested nuclear weapons before 1 January 1967. Apply this criterion to the list. China and France meet this condition. India, Pakistan, and Israel do not, as they developed weapons after this date and are outside the NPT framework. Therefore, only China and France qualify.

Key Info: **About the NPT**

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) came into effect in 1970. It designates a country as a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) if it manufactured or tested a nuclear weapon before 1 January 1967.

**Recognized Nuclear Weapon States**
The five NPT-recognized NWS are the USA, Russia, the UK, France, and China. These nations also hold permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

**Other Nuclear-Armed States**
India, Pakistan, and Israel possess nuclear weapons but are not signatories to the NPT and are not recognized as NWS under the treaty. Israel maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity regarding its nuclear arsenal. North Korea was a party to the treaty but withdrew in 2003.

**Treaty Objectives**
The primary goals of the NPT are to:
- Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons
- Promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy
- Advance nuclear disarmament

International verification of compliance is managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 1, 3, 4, and 5 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2, 4, and 5 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Consider the following countries: China France India Israel Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

Consider the following countries:

China

France

India

Israel

Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?