Background
- The CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
- It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996 but has not yet entered into force.
Objective
- To prevent nuclear weapon development and qualitative improvement by prohibiting explosive testing.
- To curb nuclear proliferation and promote disarmament.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition: Bans all nuclear explosions—no distinction between peaceful and military nuclear tests.
- Verification System:
- Overseen by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
- Operates the International Monitoring System (IMS) comprising seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide monitoring stations.
- On-site inspections are allowed to verify compliance.
Status
- As of now, the treaty has not entered into force because 8 specific states (out of 44 listed in Annex 2) have not ratified it.
- These include:
- Signed but not ratified: USA, China, Egypt, Iran, Israel
- Not signed: India, Pakistan, North Korea
India’s Position
- India has neither signed nor ratified the CTBT.
- Main objections:
- The treaty discriminates between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states (under NPT).
- Does not provide a time-bound framework for complete nuclear disarmament.
- India argues for a universal, non-discriminatory, and verifiable disarmament regime.
Significance
- A key step toward global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
- Helps in maintaining international peace and security.
- Reinforces norms against nuclear testing — even without legal enforcement, most countries adhere to it (de facto moratorium).
Challenges
- Non-entry into force due to non-ratification by key states.
- Verification and compliance issues, especially with states outside the treaty.
- Technological advancements allow sub-critical testing (computer simulations) that bypass the treaty’s spirit.
CTBT vs NPT – Comparison Table
| Feature | CTBT | NPT |
| Year Adopted | 1996 | 1968 |
| Objective | Ban nuclear test explosions | Prevent spread of nuclear weapons |
| Nature | Bans testing | Bans proliferation |
| Discrimination Issue | Applies to all equally | Recognizes 5 nuclear-weapon states |
| India’s Position | Not a signatory | Not a signatory |