Nuclear Policy

India’s nuclear policy states it will not use nuclear weapons unless first attacked.

No First Use (NFU)

India maintains a minimal but effective nuclear arsenal for deterrence.

Credible Minimum Deterrence

India’s official doctrine includes NFU, massive retaliation, civilian control, and commitment to disarmament.

Nuclear Doctrine

India’s first nuclear test in 1974, called a "peaceful nuclear explosion", conducted at Pokhran.

Operation Smiling Buddha

Series of five nuclear tests in May 1998 (Pokhran-II) that declared India a nuclear weapons state.

Operation Shakti

Architect of India’s nuclear energy program; formulated the 3-stage power generation plan.

Homi Bhabha

Stage 1: PHWRs; Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors; Stage 3: Thorium-based AHWRs using U-233.

Three Stage Nuclear Programme

India has vast thorium reserves and aims to use U-233 as sustainable nuclear fuel.

Thorium in India

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor using natural uranium; part of Stage 1 of India’s nuclear plan.

PHWR

Stage 2: Uses Plutonium-239 to breed more fuel while producing energy.

Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)

Stage 3: Uses thorium to breed U-233 for clean and sustainable energy.

Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR)

India’s experimental thorium-based reactor in Kalpakkam.

Kamini Reactor

India’s first commercial thorium-U-233 reactor; under construction in Tamil Nadu.

Bhavni Project

Proposed India-France project to build the world’s largest nuclear power plant (6 EPRs).

Jaitapur Nuclear Plant

U.S.-India project with Westinghouse AP1000 reactors in Andhra Pradesh.

Kovvada Nuclear Plant

To expand from 6.7 GW to 100 GW by 2047.

India’s Goal for Nuclear Power

India didn’t sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, calling it discriminatory.

NPT (1968)

India opposed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty due to permanent ban on testing.

CTBT (1996)

India applied in 2016 but was denied entry for not signing NPT.

NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group)

India joined Missile Technology Control Regime; restricts missile and drone tech proliferation.

MTCR (2016)

India joined this export control group for dual-use technologies and arms.

Wassenaar Arrangement (2017)

India joined this group to restrict export of chemical and biological weapons tech.

Australia Group (2018)

India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act; fixes operator’s liability for nuclear accidents.

CLNDA (2010)

Allows operator to seek compensation from suppliers for defective equipment—unique to India.

Section 17(b) – CLNDA

A fund created for pooling contributions from operators for accident compensation.

Nuclear Liability Fund

India allocated ₹20,000 crore for building 5 SMRs by 2033 to boost clean nuclear power.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

James Chadwick

Discovered the neutron in 1932, which was the foundation for nuclear fission research.

Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann

German scientists who discovered nuclear fission in 1938.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Head of the Manhattan Project in the U.S.; known as the “father of the atomic bomb.”

Dr. Homi Bhabha

Started India’s nuclear program in 1944; proposed the 3-stage nuclear power strategy.

BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)

Established in 1954; India’s premier nuclear research facility.

NPT – Objectives

Non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

India's Stand on NPT

India has not signed NPT, calling it discriminatory and legitimizing nuclear monopoly.

CTBT – Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Treaty banning nuclear explosions globally; India refuses to sign due to its permanent ban on tests.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

A 48-member group that controls export of nuclear materials and technology; India applied in 2016 but was denied.

India’s Reason for Nuclear Tests (1974, 1998)

Response to China’s nuclear capability and global nuclear discrimination.

MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime)

India joined in 2016; restricts missiles capable of carrying 500kg payload over 300km.

Wassenaar Arrangement

India joined in 2017; controls dual-use technology exports related to arms and civilian tech.

Australia Group

India joined in 2018; aims to prevent chemical and biological weapons development.

Argonne Lab, USA (1951)

First nuclear reactor to generate electricity for lab purposes.

Obninsk, Russia (1954)

First nuclear reactor to generate electricity for a community.

Atomic Energy Act (1962)

Legislation that governs nuclear energy use in India, emphasizing peaceful applications.

India’s Natural Nuclear Resources

Approx. 70,000 tonnes of Uranium and 3,60,000 tonnes of Thorium.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

500 MWe reactor under construction at Kalpakkam; part of Stage 2 of India’s nuclear program.

Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR)

Reactor model used in Jaitapur; each unit produces 1650 MW; Indo-French collaboration.

Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (2010)

Applies strict, no-fault liability on operators; capped at ₹1500 crore with additional govt liability.

Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)

Under CLNDA, govt liability capped at 300 million SDRs (~₹2100–2300 crore).

Right to Recourse – CLNDA Section 17(b)

Allows operator to claim damages from suppliers for defective equipment—unique to Indian law.

Nuclear Damage Claims Commission

Body established under CLNDA to handle claims and ensure compensation.

Amendments to CLNDA

Proposed to align Indian law with global norms and revive stalled projects like Jaitapur and Kovvada.

India’s Nuclear Energy Vision 2047

Goal: increase nuclear capacity to 100 GW from current 6.78 GW through new projects and SMRs.