📌 Topic 05 of 6 · Chapter 03 · Nuclear Technology
NPT, CTBT & NSG — India’s Position
India not signed NPT CTBT, NSG waiver 2008, India-US nuclear deal — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
⚛️ Nuclear Treaties — India’s Position
| Treaty/Group | Full Name | Year | India’s Position | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPT | Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty | 1968 | NOT signed | Discriminatory — recognises only 5 P5 countries as nuclear states; India considers it a “nuclear apartheid” |
| CTBT | Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty | 1996 | NOT signed | India conducted Pokhran-II tests in 1998; CTBT not in force as key countries haven’t ratified |
| NSG | Nuclear Suppliers Group | 1974 | Received waiver (2008) | India-US nuclear deal; can import nuclear technology despite not signing NPT |
| IAEA Safeguards | International Atomic Energy Agency | — | Partial safeguards | India placed civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards (military facilities excluded) |
| PTBT | Partial Test Ban Treaty | 1963 | Signed | Bans nuclear tests in atmosphere, underwater, outer space (not underground) |
⚛️ India-US Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement, 2008)
- Signed in 2008 under PM Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush
- India agreed to: separate civilian and military nuclear facilities; place civilian facilities under IAEA safeguards
- USA agreed to: allow nuclear trade with India; help India get NSG waiver
- India received NSG waiver in September 2008 — can import nuclear fuel and technology
- Ended India’s nuclear isolation after 1998 Pokhran tests
- India can now import nuclear reactors from USA, France, Russia, Japan
⭐ Key Facts:
• India has NOT signed NPT (1968) — considers it discriminatory
• India has NOT signed CTBT (1996) — conducted Pokhran-II in 1998
• India received NSG waiver in 2008 through India-US nuclear deal
• IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency = HQ Vienna = safeguards
• India trying to become full NSG member — China blocking it
• India has NOT signed NPT (1968) — considers it discriminatory
• India has NOT signed CTBT (1996) — conducted Pokhran-II in 1998
• India received NSG waiver in 2008 through India-US nuclear deal
• IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency = HQ Vienna = safeguards
• India trying to become full NSG member — China blocking it