India's Nuclear Doctrine
India's nuclear doctrine, first outlined in the Draft Nuclear Doctrine of August 1999 and formally adopted via the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) statement of January 2003, rests on two cardinal principles: No First Use (NFU) and credible minimum deterrence. Under NFU, India commits to not initiating a nuclear strike, but reserves the right to "massive retaliation" in response to any nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian forces anywhere.
- Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) is the sole body authorised to order a nuclear strike, with the Political Council (chaired by the Prime Minister) holding decision-making authority.
- India maintains a nuclear triad: land-based missiles (Agni series), sea-based (INS Arihant-class SSBNs), and air-delivered (aircraft).
- The 2003 CCS statement added that a chemical or biological attack on India or Indian forces would also invite nuclear retaliation.
- India is one of only three countries (along with China and the US) that has formally adopted a No First Use pledge.
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen July 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief