UPSC Prelims 2015 · Question 88 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2015 question on Nuclear Weapon States NPT

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)?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
  3. 2, 4 and 5 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show answer

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Verdict

The answer is 1 and 2 only, that is China and France. Only these two of the listed countries are recognised Nuclear Weapon States under the NPT.

Analysis

The Treaty recognises as Nuclear Weapon States the five that manufactured and exploded a nuclear device before 1 January 1967: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Of the countries listed, only China and France belong to that set. India, Israel and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons but remain outside the Treaty and are not recognised as Nuclear Weapon States by it, which is precisely the asymmetry India has long objected to.

Source

United Nations disarmament material on the NPT.

How to crack it

The Treaty's definition is a date, not a capability, so any question about NPT recognition is answered by the 1967 cut off rather than by who has weapons today. That distinction is the entire question. Remember also that the five recognised states are the five permanent members of the Security Council, which gives you a ready mnemonic, and that the three main countries outside the Treaty are India, Israel and Pakistan, with North Korea having withdrawn.

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