India's Nuclear Doctrine (Space & Defence Sectors)
India's Nuclear Doctrine (Space & Defence Sectors)
Why In News:
A global assessment estimating that India now has around 12 'operationally deployed' nuclear warheads has put the spotlight back on India's nuclear doctrine, its posture of credible minimum deterrence.
Source: The Hindu, Page 11, 30 June 2026, 'What India's 12 operationally deployed nuclear warheads really mean'
India's Nuclear Doctrine: Key Principles
No First Use (NFU): India has committed not to use nuclear weapons first and will use them only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere.
Massive retaliation: The doctrine envisages massive retaliation designed to cause unacceptable damage to an adversary that carries out a nuclear first strike; a 2003 clarification extended this to retaliation against biological or chemical attacks as well.
Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD): India aims to maintain only the minimum nuclear force level necessary to deter an adversary, rather than pursuing arsenal parity or expansion for its own sake.
Civilian control: The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) has two components: the Political Council, chaired by the Prime Minister and the sole body authorised to order nuclear use, and the Executive Council, chaired by the National Security Adviser, which provides inputs and executes decisions.
Non-use against non-nuclear states: India has pledged not to use nuclear weapons against states that do not possess them.
What Does 'Operationally Deployed' Mean?
Deployed versus stored warheads: Operationally deployed warheads are those mated with their delivery systems, such as missiles or aircraft, and ready for rapid use, as opposed to warheads kept in storage in a de-mated state.
India's traditional posture: India has historically followed a de-mated posture, storing warheads separately from delivery vehicles to preserve civilian control and reduce the risk of unauthorised or accidental use.
Significance of the estimate: Assessments of a rising number of operationally deployed warheads suggest a gradual shift towards higher readiness levels, attributed to evolving regional threat perceptions.
India's Nuclear Triad
Land-based: The Agni series of ballistic missiles (Agni-I to Agni-V, and Agni-P) along with the shorter range Prithvi missiles.
Air-based: Fighter aircraft such as the Mirage 2000 and Su-30MKI are assessed to have a nuclear delivery role.
Sea-based: INS Arihant, INS Arighat and INS Aridhaman are India's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), armed with K-15 (Sagarika) and the longer range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, completing India's nuclear triad.