India’s Nuclear Policy & Programmes 

  1. 1940s – Beginning of Nuclear Programme: India’s nuclear programme was initiated under the leadership of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, with emphasis on peaceful applications of atomic energy.
  2. 1945 – TIFR: The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) was established by Homi J. Bhabha to strengthen research in fundamental sciences and build India’s scientific capabilities.
  3. 1948 – Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): The Atomic Energy Commission was established to formulate and implement India’s atomic energy policy.
  4. 1954 – Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The DAE was created under the direct charge of the Prime Minister and became the central institution for India’s nuclear programme.
  5. 1957 – AEET/BARC: The Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) was established for multidisciplinary nuclear research. It was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1966.
  6. 1960s – Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation: India initially pursued nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including nuclear power generation, agriculture, medicine, industry and scientific research.
  7. 1970 – NPT and India’s Position: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force. India did not sign it, considering its division between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states discriminatory and unequal.
  8. 1974 – Pokhran-I: India conducted its first nuclear test, “Smiling Buddha,” at Pokhran, Rajasthan. It was officially described as a peaceful nuclear explosion, while also demonstrating India’s nuclear capability.
  9. 1974 – Formation of NSG: The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was established in response to the proliferation concerns following India’s 1974 test. India is not an NSG member, although it later gained a major waiver from NSG export restrictions.
  10. 1987 – NPCIL: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) was established to operate and generate electricity through nuclear power.
  11. 1988 – India-Pakistan Nuclear Agreement: India and Pakistan signed an agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, including the annual exchange of lists of their nuclear installations.
  12. 1998 – Pokhran-II / Operation Shakti: India conducted a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998, openly establishing itself as a nuclear-weapon state and triggering international sanctions and criticism.
  13. 2003 – Nuclear Command & Doctrine: India established the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC). India’s nuclear doctrine is broadly associated with credible minimum deterrence, No First Use (NFU), and massive retaliation.

Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of India’s nuclear programme:

  1. The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948.
  2. India conducted its first nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974.
  3. India signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970.
  4. The Nuclear Command Authority and Strategic Forces Command were established in 2003.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only