A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has highlighted that for the first time in history, India has “deployed” 12 nuclear warheads, marking a major shift in the nuclear weapons policy of the nation.
The report from the world’s foremost arms-tracking organisation has revealed that this is the first time that India’s nuclear weapons have been marked as “deployed” instead of being stockpiled. The SIPRI report stated that this move signals a tectonic shift from India’s age-old policy, where nuclear warheads and delivery systems were kept in distinct repositories, as per NDTV.
What does the SIPRI report say about India’s nuclear arsenal?
The report states that the deployment of the 12 warheads is the first instance where New Delhi has decided to keep them with delivery systems or station the weapons at bases that have operational forces.
India’s stock of nuclear weapons increased by a little last year, the report further mentions. It also says that some of the warheads were placed on a ballistic missile submarine while deterrence patrols were conducted, NDTV reported.
Also Read | Why are Indians having fewer children? New data reveals a major shift
SIPRI states small increase in stockpile since last year
The SIPRI report released on Monday states, “India was estimated to have a growing stockpile of about 190 nuclear weapons as of January 2026-a small increase from the previous year. These weapons were assigned to a maturing nuclear triad of aircraft, land-based missiles and SSBNs”.
“It has long been assumed that India stores its nuclear warheads separate from its deployed launchers during peacetime. However, the country’s recent moves towards placing missiles in canisters and conducting sea-based deterrence patrols suggest that India could be shifting in the direction of mating some of its warheads with their launchers in peacetime,” the report added.
India has always followed deterrence and the ‘no first use’ policy for nuclear weapons, and made its stance clear that the nation would not be the first to launch a nuclear strike in a conflict, and that nuclear weapons will only be launched if there is a similar strike on Indian territory or on Indian armed forces anywhere in the world. The nuclear policy has been designed, and the stockpile has been created to deter any probable aggressors.
Also Read | Delhi HC questions Centre’s move to reclaim Gymkhana, Polo grounds
FAQs:
1. What is the key finding of the SIPRI report on India?
SIPRI says India has deployed 12 nuclear warheads for the first time instead of keeping them solely in storage.
2. Has India changed its ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy?
No, India continues to maintain its stated ‘No First Use’ nuclear doctrine.
