Question

Arrange the following events in a chronological order :
(i) Atomic test conducted by China
(ii) First nuclear explosion conducted by India
(iii) Implementation of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(iv) Initiation of the atomic programme in India under the guidance of Homi Jehangir Bhabha
Choose the correct option :

• A. (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
• B. (iv), (i), (iii), (ii)
• C. (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
• D. (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

Hint:

Chronology Timeline: - 1948: India's Atomic Energy Commission setup (Homi Bhabha) - 1964: China's First Nuclear Test - 1970: NPT implementation - 1974: India's First Pokhran Test (Smiling Buddha)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Understanding the timeline of global and domestic nuclear developments during the 20th century is essential for evaluating international non-proliferation regimes and India's nuclear stance.

Step 1: Determining the exact year for each listed event.

• (iv) Initiation of India's atomic programme under Dr. Homi J. Bhabha: India initiated its peaceful atomic energy research program in 1948 with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission of India.
• (i) Atomic test conducted by China: China conducted its first successful nuclear bomb explosion at Lop Nur on October 16, 1964 .
• (iii) Implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): The NPT was opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force/implementation in March 1970 .
• (ii) First nuclear explosion conducted by India: India conducted its first successful peaceful nuclear test (Operation Smiling Buddha) at Pokhran, Rajasthan, on May 18, 1974 .

Step 2: Arranging the events chronologically.
Ordering from earliest to latest: \[ \text{(iv) 1948} \quad \longrightarrow \quad \text{(i) 1964} \quad \longrightarrow \quad \text{(iii) 1970} \quad \longrightarrow \quad \text{(ii) 1974} \] This sequence corresponds precisely to (iv), (i), (iii), (ii) .