UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The crisis at the heart of non-proliferation

Question 1

Within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the pillar concerning the 'peaceful uses of nuclear energy' is most precisely described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The inalienable right of all parties, without discrimination, to develop and use nuclear energy for non-military purposes

Answer

An obligation binding solely upon the recognised nuclear-weapon States to transfer reactor technology to others

Answer

A guarantee that only non-nuclear-weapon States may enrich uranium for civilian power generation

Answer

A commitment requiring every party to renounce all forms of nuclear activity of any kind

Question 2

The NPT, in force since 1970 with 191 states parties, is most accurately characterised by the United Nations as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The most widely adhered to multilateral nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament treaty

Answer

The first international agreement to prohibit all nuclear-weapon test explosions

Answer

The only treaty that legally prohibits the possession of nuclear weapons by any state

Answer

The earliest treaty to establish a regional nuclear-weapon-free zone

Question 3

Among the five states recognised as Nuclear Weapon States under the NPT, which one was the first ever to conduct a nuclear-weapon test explosion?

Accepted Answer

United States

Answer

Soviet Union (Russian Federation)

Answer

United Kingdom

Answer

China

Question 4

Consider the following states, each claimed to be a Nuclear Weapon State formally recognised under the NPT:
1. Russian Federation
2. France
3. India
4. Israel
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an NPT-recognised Nuclear Weapon State?

Accepted Answer

3 and 4

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

4 only

Question 5

With reference to how India's nuclear status differs from that of other states, consider the following statements:
1. Unlike Iran, India is not a party to the NPT and is therefore not subject to full-scope IAEA safeguards over all its nuclear facilities.
2. Unlike the five recognised NWS, India first tested a nuclear device after 1 January 1967 and so cannot be recognised as a Nuclear Weapon State under the NPT.
3. Like Israel, India has never officially declared itself, nor tested, a nuclear weapon.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 6

The 2008 waiver that permitted India to engage in civil nuclear commerce despite remaining a non-signatory to the NPT was granted by which one of the following bodies?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear Suppliers Group

Answer

IAEA Board of Governors

Answer

United Nations Security Council

Answer

Conference on Disarmament

Question 7

The IAEA's finding of non-compliance against Iran cited the unexplained presence of uranium particles at certain undeclared locations. Consider the following sites, each claimed to be such an undeclared location:
1. Varamin
2. Marivan
3. Turquzabad
4. Natanz
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an undeclared location in the IAEA's non-compliance case?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 4

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 8

In the context of the IAEA's action against Iran, a determination of 'safeguards non-compliance' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A state's failure to account for, and credibly explain, nuclear material and activities as required under its safeguards obligations

Answer

A state's formal decision to withdraw from the NPT under the treaty's withdrawal clause

Answer

A state's refusal to sign the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement

Answer

A state's detonation of a nuclear device in breach of a test-ban commitment

Question 9

With reference to the 2026 US–Iran negotiations, consider the following statements:
1. The Doha round concluded in mid-2026 focused chiefly on the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian funds rather than on the nuclear programme.
2. Qatar and Pakistan acted as mediators in the US–Iran contacts.
3. Under the draft understanding, Iran agreed to down-blend its highly enriched uranium on its own soil rather than export it.
4. The negotiations culminated in Iran's formal accession to the Additional Protocol.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 10

In the 2026 US–Iran negotiations, the principal unresolved sticking point on the nuclear question was reported to be which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The duration for which Iran would suspend uranium enrichment

Answer

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic

Answer

The mechanism for unfreezing Iran's overseas funds

Answer

The choice of state to host the negotiating rounds

Question 11

With reference to the IAEA safeguards system, consider the following statements:
1. IAEA safeguards are implemented through legally binding agreements concluded between States and the IAEA.
2. The Additional Protocol is a stand-alone treaty that replaces a State's comprehensive safeguards agreement.
3. Under a comprehensive safeguards agreement the IAEA verifies that all nuclear material in the State is not diverted to weapons.
4. The Model Additional Protocol was approved in 1997 following the discovery of Iraq's clandestine nuclear programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

Question 12

In the standard critique of the non-proliferation order, how many states are described as possessing nuclear weapons while remaining outside the NPT as non-signatories?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The crisis at the heart of non-proliferation

Q1. Within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the pillar concerning the 'peaceful uses of nuclear energy' is most precisely described as which one of the following?

Q2. The NPT, in force since 1970 with 191 states parties, is most accurately characterised by the United Nations as which one of the following?

Q3. Among the five states recognised as Nuclear Weapon States under the NPT, which one was the first ever to conduct a nuclear-weapon test explosion?

Q4. Consider the following states, each claimed to be a Nuclear Weapon State formally recognised under the NPT: 1. Russian Federation 2. France 3. India 4. Israel Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an NPT-recognised Nuclear Weapon State?

Q6. The 2008 waiver that permitted India to engage in civil nuclear commerce despite remaining a non-signatory to the NPT was granted by which one of the following bodies?

Q8. In the context of the IAEA's action against Iran, a determination of 'safeguards non-compliance' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

Q10. In the 2026 US–Iran negotiations, the principal unresolved sticking point on the nuclear question was reported to be which one of the following?

Q12. In the standard critique of the non-proliferation order, how many states are described as possessing nuclear weapons while remaining outside the NPT as non-signatories?