• The UN General Assembly approved it on 12th June, 1968, and came into force on 5th March, 1970.
• Objectives
  • Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
  • Promote peaceful use of nuclear technology.
  • Encourage nuclear disarmament.
• Members
  • Recognised nuclear power states as per the treaty are the US, UK, Russia (USSR), France, China — those that tested nuclear weapons before Jan 1, 1967, and the treaty has 191 countries.
• India’s Stand
  • India (along with Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan) is not a member  
  • Opposes it as a discriminatory disarmament policy
• Significance: The only binding treaty to the goal of disarmament by the NWS.
• Monitoring: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors compliance.

Source: The Hindu