UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I
Question 88: International Relations and Current Affairs
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)?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty recognises as Nuclear Weapons States only those that made and exploded a nuclear device before 1 January 1967: the United States, Russia (the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France and China. So among the five countries listed, only China and France qualify. India, Pakistan and Israel never signed the treaty and are not recognised.
- 1. China tested before 1967 and is a recognised weapon State.
- 2. France tested before 1967 and is a recognised weapon State.
- 3. India tested after 1967 and is outside the NPT.
- 4. Israel is outside the NPT and not recognised.
- 5. Pakistan is outside the NPT and not recognised.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: Israel is outside the NPT and not recognised.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2, 3 or 5.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: only China and France are recognised under the NPT.
- (b) India, Israel and Pakistan are not recognised as Nuclear Weapons States under the NPT.
- (c) Israel and Pakistan are not recognised, and France is.
- (d) India, Israel and Pakistan are not NPT-recognised weapon States.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.