India had only 13 nuclear weapons in 2000, but now the number is…, reason behind the huge stockpile is…

Indian nuclear power: Surrounded by two nuclear-armed neighbours, who have a history of aggression against India, the Republic of India has significantly expanded its nuclear arsenal in the recent decades. Over the past 25 years, India has significantly increased its nuclear power, taking it to a next level. As per the US-based think tank Federation of American Scientists (FAS), India possessed around 13 nuclear weapons in the year 2000, but by the year 2025, the number has grown to an estimated 180—marking a sharp 92% increase. On average, India is believed to have added around seven nuclear weapons annually during this period.

Despite the growing stockpile, the FAS report notes that none of India’s nuclear weapons are currently deployed; they are all held in reserve. Notably, India’s nuclear journey began on 18 May 1974 with its first successful test in Pokhran, Rajasthan, under the codename Smiling Buddha.

The reason behind the increase in nuclear weapons by India has been reported to be the internal security challenges of India. For an example, from 2008 to 2012, India increased its nuclear weapons stockpile by an average of 10 nuclear bombs every year.

India working on 3 types of small modular reactors

In the latest development, Union minister Jitendra Singh said India’s nuclear scientists are working on three types of new reactor technologies to realise the plan of rolling out small modular reactors in the next decade, as per a report by news agency IANS.

Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences told the Rajya Sabha that three reactor technologies — 200 MW and 55 MW Pressurised Water Reactors and 5 MW Indian Gas Cooled Reactors — were being developed and the government plans to roll out a fleet of Bharat Small Reactors to meet its green energy target, the report said.

Also, it should be noted that the government said in the Union Budget that India aimed to produce 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 and half of it would be met by the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

(With inputs from agencies)

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