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Q88 (IAS/2015) International Relations & Global Affairs › Global Indices, Reports & Agreements › Nuclear arms control regime Official Key

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)?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 recognized as nuclear weapon states only those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967[2]. The five nuclear weapon powers recognized under the NPT are the US, USSR, UK, France, and China – also the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council[4].

From the given list, only **China (1)** and **France (2)** are recognized as Nuclear Weapons States under the NPT. India conducted its first nuclear explosion in May 1974[4], which was after the 1967 cutoff date, and therefore India is not recognized as a Nuclear Weapons State under the NPT. India opposes NPT and CTBT due to their discriminatory and hegemonic nature[6]. Similarly, Israel and Pakistan conducted their nuclear programs after 1967 and are not recognized as Nuclear Weapons States under the NPT.

Therefore, the correct answer is **option A: 1 and 2 only** (China and France).

Sources
  1. [1] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
  2. [2] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
  3. [3] Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
  4. [4] Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
  5. [5] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
  6. [6] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
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Q. Consider the following countries : 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6/10 · 4/10

This is a classic 'Definition Application' question directly from NCERT Political Science (Class XII). The key isn't memorizing a list of countries, but understanding the NPT's 'discriminatory' criteria (pre-1967 testing) which aligns exactly with the UN Security Council's P5 members.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is China recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
Presence: 4/5
“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was an arms control treaty in the sense that it regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons: those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons; and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons; rather, it limited the number of countries that could have them.”
Why this source?
  • Defines NPT rule that countries which had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep them
  • Establishes the legal criterion used by NPT to recognize existing nuclear-weapon states
Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
Presence: 5/5
“Another crucial development of this period was the first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974. Nehru had always put his faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India. A significant component of his industrialisation plans was the nuclear programme initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Nehru was against nuclear weapons. So he pleaded with the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. However, the nuclear arsenal kept rising. When Communist China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers, the US, USSR, UK, France, and China (Taiwan then represented China) – also the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council – tried to impose the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 on the rest of the world.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists China alongside US, USSR, UK and France as the five nuclear weapon powers around the time of the NPT
  • Notes China had conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, placing it before the 1967 cutoff referenced in NPT rule
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
Presence: 4/5
“India opposes NPT and CTBT due to their discriminatory and hegemonic nature. They perceive an international system in which only five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) can legitimately possess nuclear weapons.”
Why this source?
  • States that India perceives five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) as legitimately possessing nuclear weapons
  • Reinforces the identification of China as one of the five recognized nuclear powers
Statement 2
Is France recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
Presence: 5/5
“India opposes NPT and CTBT due to their discriminatory and hegemonic nature. They perceive an international system in which only five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) can legitimately possess nuclear weapons.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists the five nations perceived to legitimately possess nuclear weapons and includes France.
  • Directly ties France to the group that the NPT/related regime is seen as legitimising.
Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
Presence: 5/5
“Another crucial development of this period was the first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974. Nehru had always put his faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India. A significant component of his industrialisation plans was the nuclear programme initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Nehru was against nuclear weapons. So he pleaded with the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. However, the nuclear arsenal kept rising. When Communist China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers, the US, USSR, UK, France, and China (Taiwan then represented China) – also the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council – tried to impose the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 on the rest of the world.”
Why this source?
  • Names the five nuclear weapon powers (US, USSR, UK, France, China) in the context of imposing the NPT in 1968.
  • Connects France to the group recognized at the time the NPT was framed.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
Presence: 4/5
“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was an arms control treaty in the sense that it regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons: those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons; and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons; rather, it limited the number of countries that could have them.”
Why this source?
  • Explains the NPT rule that countries which had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep them.
  • Provides the criterion that underpins why the early five (including France) are recognized under the NPT.
Statement 3
Is India recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"When the NPT was written, five states had developed a nuclear weapon capability and the treaty recognized these states as nuclear weapon states."
Why this source?
  • States explicitly recognized as 'nuclear weapon states' under the NPT are limited to those that had such capability when the Treaty was written.
  • Because the Treaty 'recognized these states as nuclear weapon states', the NPT's formal recognition is limited to that original set of five states.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"the Governments of the five nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty"
Why this source?
  • UN NPT documents refer to 'the five nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty', indicating a fixed set of five recognized under the Treaty.
  • The phrasing implies that only those five states are the NPT-recognized nuclear-weapon states, excluding others not part of that set.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
Strength: 5/5
“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was an arms control treaty in the sense that it regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons: those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons; and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons; rather, it limited the number of countries that could have them.”
Why relevant

Defines the NPT rule: countries that had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep them; others were to give up the right to acquire them.

How to extend

A student can compare India's first test date (from other snippets) to the 1967 cutoff to judge whether India fits the NPT's admitted 'nuclear-weapon state' category.

Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
Strength: 5/5
“Another crucial development of this period was the first nuclear explosion undertaken by India in May 1974. Nehru had always put his faith in science and technology for rapidly building a modern India. A significant component of his industrialisation plans was the nuclear programme initiated in the late 1940s under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha. India wanted to generate atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Nehru was against nuclear weapons. So he pleaded with the superpowers for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. However, the nuclear arsenal kept rising. When Communist China conducted nuclear tests in October 1964, the five nuclear weapon powers, the US, USSR, UK, France, and China (Taiwan then represented China) – also the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council – tried to impose the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 on the rest of the world.”
Why relevant

States which five states were considered the nuclear weapon powers and that they tried to impose the NPT on the rest of the world.

How to extend

A student could note that the NPT-recognized nuclear-weapon states are those five (US, USSR, UK, France, China) and check whether India is among them.

Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > Fast Forward India's Nuclear Programme > p. 69
Strength: 4/5
“India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers. Thus, India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. Pakistan soon followed, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange. The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan, which were subsequently waived.”
Why relevant

Says India opposed the NPT as selectively applicable and refused to sign the CTBT; it also records India conducted nuclear tests (notably in 1998).

How to extend

Combine India's stated refusal to join the NPT/CTBT and the dates of its tests to infer that India did not accept NPT recognition procedures.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
Strength: 4/5
“The foreign policy of India is opposed to arms race and advocates disarmament, both conventional and nuclear. This is aimed at promoting world peace and security by reducing or ending tensions between power blocs and to accelerate economic development of the country by preventing the unproductive expenditure on the manufacture of arms. India has been using the UNO platform to check the arms race and to achieve disarmament. India took the initiative of holding a six-nation summit. At New Delhi in 1985 and made concrete proposals for nuclear disarmament. By Ilot signing the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996, India has kept its nuclear options open.”
Why relevant

Explicitly notes India did not sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 and thus 'kept its nuclear options open.'

How to extend

Use the fact that NPT recognition requires treaty signature/participation to assess whether India is recognized under the NPT framework.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Foreign Relations > p. 761
Strength: 3/5
“The Manmohan Singh government made efforts for stronger ties with the United States. The prime minister visited the US in July 2005 to initiate negotiations over the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. When, in 2006, President George W. Bush visited India, the declaration over the nuclear agreement was made. This gave India access to American nuclear fuel and technology, though in return India would have to allow its civil nuclear reactors to be inspected by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). It was only in October 2008 that India and the US finally signed the agreement after further negotiations and approval from the IAEA, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the US Congress.”
Why relevant

Describes India's later bilateral nuclear engagement with the US and acceptance of IAEA inspections for civil reactors, implying alternative arrangements outside the NPT.

How to extend

A student can contrast India’s separate civil-nuclear deal and IAEA inspections with formal NPT membership/recognition to judge if India is an NPT-recognized nuclear-weapon state.

Statement 4
Is Israel recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"When the NPT was written, five states had developed a nuclear weapon capability and the treaty recognized these states as nuclear weapon states."
Why this source?
  • States recognized as 'nuclear weapon states' under the NPT are limited to the five that had developed nuclear weapons when the Treaty was written.
  • Because recognition is restricted to those five states, other states with or alleged to have nuclear capabilities (e.g., Israel) are not recognized under the NPT as nuclear-weapon states.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967."
Why this source?
  • The NPT's definition/qualification for nuclear-weapon states refers to having manufactured and exploded a nuclear device prior to 1 January 1967.
  • That cutoff limits formal NPT recognition to those early nuclear powers, excluding later or undeclared nuclear-capable states such as Israel.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
Strength: 5/5
“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was an arms control treaty in the sense that it regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons: those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons; and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons; rather, it limited the number of countries that could have them.”
Why relevant

States that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep them under the NPT (i.e., the treaty defines a limited set of nuclear‑weapon states by a date/test criterion).

How to extend

A student could check whether Israel had conducted a nuclear test or manufactured weapons before 1967 to judge if it would fit that criterion.

Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > Fast Forward India's Nuclear Programme > p. 69
Strength: 4/5
“India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers. Thus, India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. Pakistan soon followed, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange. The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan, which were subsequently waived.”
Why relevant

Explains the political consequence: the NPT was seen as selectively legitimising the monopoly of five nuclear weapons powers.

How to extend

A student could use this to recall/verify which five states are considered the treaty's recognized nuclear powers and then see if Israel is among them.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
Strength: 5/5
“India opposes NPT and CTBT due to their discriminatory and hegemonic nature. They perceive an international system in which only five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) can legitimately possess nuclear weapons.”
Why relevant

States explicitly name the five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) as the ones that can 'legitimately possess nuclear weapons' under the system criticised by India.

How to extend

A student could note that only those five are recognised under the treaty and therefore check whether Israel is one of those five (it is not listed here).

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > The Smiling Buddha > p. 703
Strength: 4/5
“detonation of a nuclear device. On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, at the army base near the village of Pokhran. Officially termed Pokhran I but code named 'Smiling Buddha', the exercise was an underground detonation. It was formally called a 'peaceful nuclear explosion'. It was the first time that a confirmed nuclear test was done by a nation that was not one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It is believed that Indira Gandhi authorised the development of nuclear weapon system, presumably in light of China slowly and steadily becoming a nuclear power.”
Why relevant

Gives an example of a state (India) that tested after 1967 (1974) and was therefore not among the NPT's original set of recognised nuclear‑weapon states.

How to extend

A student could compare Israel's known testing history (date of any test, if any) with this example to infer whether Israel would meet the pre‑1967 test criterion.

Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
Strength: 3/5
“India always considered the NPT as discriminatory and had refused to sign it. When India conducted its first nuclear test, it was termed as peaceful explosion. India argued that it was committed to the policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. The period when the nuclear test was conducted was a difficult period in domestic politics. Following the Arab-Israel War of 1973, the entire world was affected by the Oil Shock due to the massive hike in the oil prices by the Arab nations. It led to economic turmoil in India resulting in high inflation. As you will read in Chapter Six, many agitations were going on in the country around this time, including a nationwide railway strike.”
Why relevant

Notes that India refused to sign the NPT because it considered the treaty discriminatory—illustrating that non‑signatory or late‑tester states are not recognised as NPT nuclear‑weapon states.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to check whether Israel is a signatory and whether its status aligns with being an NPT‑recognised nuclear‑weapon state or not.

Statement 5
Is Pakistan recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
Presence: 5/5
“India opposes NPT and CTBT due to their discriminatory and hegemonic nature. They perceive an international system in which only five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) can legitimately possess nuclear weapons.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states an international system in which only five nations (USA, Russia, China, UK and France) can legitimately possess nuclear weapons.
  • By naming those five, it implies states outside that list (e.g., Pakistan) are not recognised by the NPT as nuclear-weapon states.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
Presence: 5/5
“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was an arms control treaty in the sense that it regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons: those countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons; and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons; rather, it limited the number of countries that could have them.”
Why this source?
  • Defines the NPT rule that countries which had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep them.
  • Establishes a temporal eligibility criterion that excludes states that acquired/tested weapons after 1967.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia > TIMELINE OF SOUTH ASIA SINCE 1947 > p. 32
Presence: 4/5
“1947: India and Pakistan emerge as independent nations after the end of British rule 1948: Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) gains independence; Indo-Pak conflict over Kashmir 1954-55: Pakistan joins the Cold War military blocs, SEATO and CENTO 1960: India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty 1962: Border conflict between India and China 1965: Indo-Pak War; UN India-Pakistan Observation Mission 1966: India and Pakistan sign the Tashkent Agreement; Six-point proposal of Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman for greater autonomy to East Pakistan 1971 March: Proclamation of Independence by leaders of Bangladesh August : Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship signed for 20 years December : Indo-Pak War, Liberation of Bangladesh 1972 July: India and Pakistan sign the Simla Agreement 1974 May: India conducts nuclear test 1976: Pakistan and Bangladesh establish diplomatic ties 1985 December: South Asian leaders sign the SAARC Charter at the first summit in Dhaka 1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord; Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operation in Sri Lanka (1987-90) 1988: India sends troops to the Maldives to foil a coup attempt by mercenaries India and Pakistan sign the agreement not to attack nuclear installations and facilities of each other 1988-91: Democracy restoration in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal 1996 December: India and Bangladesh sign the Farakka Treaty for sharing of the Ganga Waters 1998 May: India and Pakistan conduct nuclear tests December: India and Sri Lanka sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 1999 February: Indian PM Vajpayee undertakes bus journey to Lahore to sign a Peace Declaration June-July: Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan 2001 July: Vajpayee - Musharraf Agra Summit unsuccessful 2004 January: SAFTA signed at the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad 2007: Afghanistan joins SAARC 2014 November: The 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal In that sense the South Asian experience of democracy has expanded the global imagination of democracy.”
Why this source?
  • Records that India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998.
  • Shows Pakistan's nuclear tests occurred well after the NPT's pre-1967 cutoff, supporting that Pakistan would not be recognised under the treaty's criteria.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves testing the 'P5 Monopoly'. In international treaties (NPT, UNSC), the 'Recognized' powers are almost always the P5 (US, UK, Russia, France, China). Questions often trap you by mixing 'countries that have weapons' with 'countries allowed to have weapons'.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from NCERT Class XII 'Contemporary World Politics' (Chapter 5) and 'Politics in India since Independence' (Chapter 4).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Global Security & Disarmament (NPT, CTBT, NSG). The distinction between 'De facto' nuclear states (have bombs) and 'De jure' nuclear states (legally recognized).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Nuclear Outsiders': India, Pakistan, Israel (Never signed); South Sudan (Never signed); North Korea (Withdrew 2003). Know the NPT Cutoff Date: Jan 1, 1967. Know the NSG origin: Formed in response to India's 1974 test.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize lists of treaty members blindly. Look for the 'Defining Rule'. For NPT, the rule is 'Tested before 1967'. Since India tested in 1974 and Pakistan in 1998, they are automatically excluded by definition.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 NPT criterion: pre-1967 testers recognised
💡 The insight

Reference [1] states the NPT allowed countries that had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 to retain them — the key legal basis for recognising nuclear-weapon states.

High-yield for UPSC: understanding the NPT's temporal criterion explains which states are formally recognised and why the treaty is seen as 'grandfathering' certain powers. Connects to questions on arms control, treaty design, and international discrimination. Learn by memorising the 1967 cutoff and analysing its political consequences in sample answers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
🔗 Anchor: "Is China recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Prolif..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 The five recognised nuclear powers / P5 linkage
💡 The insight

References [3] and [4] repeatedly identify USA, USSR/Russia, UK, France and China as the five nuclear weapon powers tied to NPT discussions.

Frequently tested: P5 status appears across diplomacy, UN Security Council and disarmament topics. Knowing which states form the P5 and their link to nuclear legitimacy helps answer polity and international relations questions. Prepare by mapping P5 roles in treaties (NPT, UNSC) and implications for non-proliferation.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
🔗 Anchor: "Is China recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Prolif..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Opposition to NPT as discriminatory (India's stance)
💡 The insight

References [2] and [3] show India opposed the NPT for being selectively applicable and legitimising the five nuclear powers' monopoly.

Useful for essay and polity answers on treaty politics and normative critiques of international regimes. Explains why some states refuse NPT/CTBT and frames debates on universal vs. discriminatory regimes. Study by comparing state positions (India, Pakistan) and treaty consequences.

📚 Reading List :
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > Fast Forward India's Nuclear Programme > p. 69
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
🔗 Anchor: "Is China recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Prolif..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Five recognised NPT nuclear-weapon states (the 'P5')
💡 The insight

References repeatedly identify the five states (USA, Russia/USSR, China, UK, France) as the legitimate nuclear powers associated with the NPT.

High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask about NPT membership, recognised nuclear-weapon states, and links to UNSC permanent members. Mastering this clarifies who the treaty legitimised and helps answer policy/critique questions. Learn by memorising the P5 list and linking it to NPT provisions and historical context.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
🔗 Anchor: "Is France recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proli..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 NPT criterion: tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967
💡 The insight

Reference explains the temporal criterion that defined which states were allowed to 'keep' weapons under the NPT.

Important for conceptual questions on treaty provisions and distinction between nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon states. Useful for essay and prelims; tie this rule to historical tests and why certain states were grandfathered in. Prepare by mapping dates to state behaviours (tests, recognition).

📚 Reading List :
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
🔗 Anchor: "Is France recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proli..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Critique of NPT as discriminatory (India's stance)
💡 The insight

References show India opposing the NPT/CTBT as legitimising a monopoly for the five powers, highlighting the treaty's perceived discrimination.

Frequently tested in GS papers: treaty politics, non-proliferation debates, and India's foreign policy. Understanding the critique helps answer questions on treaty equity, extensions, and regional proliferation dynamics; study by linking India's actions (refusal/signing) to its strategic concerns.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > Fast Forward India's Nuclear Programme > p. 69
🔗 Anchor: "Is France recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Proli..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 NPT's 'Nuclear-Weapon State' definition (pre-1967 cutoff)
💡 The insight

The NPT limited recognized nuclear-weapon states to those that had tested/manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 (reference [4]); this definition is central to whether any country (including India) is 'recognized' under the treaty.

High-yield for polity/international relations: many UPSC questions probe treaty definitions and their legal consequences. Mastering treaty cut-off dates and the list of P5 connects to topics on arms control, sovereign rights, and global order. Preparation: memorise treaty criteria, P5 membership, and map key dates to national nuclear tests.

📚 Reading List :
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World > Security in the Contemporary World 69 > p. 69
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > India's nuclear policy > p. 68
🔗 Anchor: "Is India recognized as a Nuclear-Weapon State under the Treaty on the Non-Prolif..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was formed in 1974 specifically as a reaction to India's 'Smiling Buddha' test. While NPT freezes the status quo of 1967, the NSG controls exports. A future question could ask: 'Which export control regime was established in direct response to India's nuclear test?'

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'P5 Heuristic'. In the context of the NPT, 'Recognized Nuclear States' = 'UNSC Permanent 5'. If an option includes a country that is NOT a P5 member (like India, Israel, or Pakistan), eliminate it immediately. Options B, C, and D all include non-P5 nations. Only Option A (China & France) consists solely of P5 members.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to GS-2 (International Relations): India's waiver from the NSG in 2008 (Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal) effectively gave India 'de facto' recognition without signing the NPT, creating a unique 'India-specific' status in the global nuclear order.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2022 · Q77 Relevance score: 3.69

Consider the following countries : 1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

CDS-I · 2011 · Q94 Relevance score: 2.40

Consider the following statements : 1. The five permanent members of the Security Council are the only countries recognized as nuclear-weapon States under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. 2, The term of non-permanent members of the Council is five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 1995 · Q84 Relevance score: 2.05

The signatories to the treaty banning chemical weapons include

CDS-II · 2012 · Q32 Relevance score: 1.71

Which one among the following nuclear-capable countries has a declared No First Use policy?

CAPF · 2010 · Q64 Relevance score: 1.61

With which one among the following countries India does not have any defence treaty ?