Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
The CTBT was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996, and opened for signature on September 24, 1996. It bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes. However, the CTBT has not entered into force because ratification by all 44 Annex 2 states is required. As of 2026, eight Annex 2 states have not ratified: the US (signed but not ratified), China (signed but not ratified), India (not signed), Pakistan (not signed), Israel (signed but not ratified), Egypt (signed but not ratified), Iran (signed but not ratified), and North Korea (not signed).
- CTBT adopted: September 10, 1996; opened for signature: September 24, 1996
- Annex 2 states: 44 states that possessed nuclear power or research reactors at the time, whose ratification is required for entry into force
- Signatories: 187 states; ratified by: 178 states (as of 2025)
- CTBTO (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization): headquartered in Vienna; operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) with 321 monitoring stations worldwide
- IMS uses four technologies: seismological, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide monitoring
- India's position: has not signed the CTBT; considers it discriminatory; maintains a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing since the Pokhran-II tests (May 1998)
● Tracked since February 08, 2026 · last seen February 18, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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