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)?
- (a) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- (c) 2, 4 and 5 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Why the answer is (a)
• The NPT (1968) recognises as Nuclear Weapon States only the five that tested before 1 January 1967: the USA, USSR/Russia, UK, France and China.
• Of the listed countries, China (1) and France (2) are NPT-recognised; India (3), Pakistan (5) and Israel (4) possess nuclear weapons but are outside the NPT and not recognised by it.
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- India, Israel and Pakistan are not NPT-recognised.
- (c) 2, 4 and 5 only
- Israel and Pakistan are not NPT-recognised; China is.
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Only China and France are NPT-recognised.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.