UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — What India’s 12 ‘operationally deployed’ nuclear warheads really mean

Q1. In SIPRI's 2026 classification of India's nuclear forces, the term 'operationally deployed' most precisely describes warheads that are —

• A. mated with their delivery systems and positioned with operational forces, ready for use
• B. held in central storage de-mated from launchers, as in a recessed-deterrence posture
• C. retired from service and awaiting dismantlement
• D. assembled for testing but not assigned to any military formation

Q2. Which single pillar of India's nuclear doctrine is the one that, by itself, restricts India to using nuclear weapons only as a retaliatory second strike?

• A. No First Use
• B. Credible minimum deterrence
• C. Massive retaliation
• D. Non-use against non-nuclear-weapon states

Q3. With reference to India's 2003 nuclear doctrine, consider the following as stated pillars: 1. No First Use — nuclear weapons to be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or forces. 2. Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage. 3. Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states. 4. Authorisation to use nuclear weapons rests solely with the military Chief of Defence Staff. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. No First Use — nuclear weapons to be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or forces.
2. Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage.
3. Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states.
4. Authorisation to use nuclear weapons rests solely with the military Chief of Defence Staff.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements about India's Pokhran nuclear tests: 1. Pokhran-I (1974) was code-named Smiling Buddha. 2. Pokhran-I was officially described by India as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion'. 3. Pokhran-II (1998) consisted of five nuclear detonations. 4. Pokhran-II made India the very first Asian country ever to conduct a nuclear test. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Pokhran-I (1974) was code-named Smiling Buddha.
2. Pokhran-I was officially described by India as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion'.
3. Pokhran-II (1998) consisted of five nuclear detonations.
4. Pokhran-II made India the very first Asian country ever to conduct a nuclear test.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. How many nuclear detonations were carried out under Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti) in May 1998?

• A. Three
• B. Four
• C. Five
• D. Six

Q6. Consider the following statements contrasting canisterised missiles with India's earlier strategic posture: 1. Canisterisation stores a missile pre-packaged (often pre-fuelled) in a sealed canister, reducing launch-preparation time relative to older separately stored systems. 2. The canisterised Agni-5 was flight-tested with MIRV technology under Mission Divyastra in 2024. 3. Canisterisation requires warheads to remain permanently de-mated from missiles, unlike the earlier recessed posture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Canisterisation stores a missile pre-packaged (often pre-fuelled) in a sealed canister, reducing launch-preparation time relative to older separately stored systems.
2. The canisterised Agni-5 was flight-tested with MIRV technology under Mission Divyastra in 2024.
3. Canisterisation requires warheads to remain permanently de-mated from missiles, unlike the earlier recessed posture.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Which is India's longest-range canisterised ballistic missile, first flight-tested with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles under Mission Divyastra?

• A. Agni-V
• B. Agni-III
• C. Agni-IV
• D. Agni-II

Q8. India's Nuclear Command Authority is composed of how many councils?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Q9. Regarding India's declaratory nuclear positions reaffirmed at UN disarmament forums in 2025, consider the following: 1. India reaffirmed its No First Use commitment. 2. India supports universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament. 3. India is a supporter of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). 4. India links nuclear disarmament to a step-by-step process under an agreed multilateral framework. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. India reaffirmed its No First Use commitment.
2. India supports universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament.
3. India is a supporter of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
4. India links nuclear disarmament to a step-by-step process under an agreed multilateral framework.

• A. 1, 2 and 4
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. A nuclear triad, of which India's is now considered mature, is built on how many distinct delivery legs?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five