Science TechnologyTuesday, 30 June 2026·The Hindu - Science
SIPRI’s June 2026 yearbook: 12 Indian nuclear warheads classified as operationally deployed
SIPRI’s June 2026 yearbook said 12 of India’s estimated 190 nuclear warheads are operationally deployed, while India still follows no first use.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In June 2026, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook classified 12 of India’s estimated 190 nuclear warheads as “operationally deployed,” meaning they are positioned with active military forces and mated with delivery systems.
Key specifics
- SIPRI is the source of the June 2026 classification on India’s nuclear arsenal.
- India’s estimated stockpile mentioned in the report is 190 nuclear warheads.
- Only 12 warheads were tagged as “operationally deployed” for the first time.
- “Operationally deployed” means warheads are with active military forces and mated with delivery systems.
- The report notes that India has not abandoned its decades-old “no first use” policy.
Exam lens
MCQ focus: report-based science and security fact, SIPRI yearbook, 190 estimated warheads, 12 operationally deployed, no first use policy. TNPSC may ask the meaning of “operationally deployed” or the institution that released the yearbook.