GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Nuclear doctrine of India, various statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies.
Context:
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson said India’s policy on nuclear weapons was a manifestation of its past ideology.
- He said Indian civilisational ethos was “blessed with the power of assimilation of different streams of ideas and faiths, as we want to improve and not impose our culture upon others, which may amount to a violation of human rights.
- India’s doctrine of nuclear policy is a manifestation of its past ideology that prohibits the use of weapons of mass destruction, which only harm humanity.
- It has been reflected both in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata when the use of weapons of mass destruction was prohibited.
Nuclear Doctrine of India:
- In 2003, India officially accepted a Nuclear Doctrine based on the No First Use(NFU) policy.
- Nuclear weapons will only be kept as a credible minimum deterrence against nuclear attacks.
- NFU policy would be followed and India would use nuclear attack only as retaliation against a nuclear attack on India or on Indian forces anywhere.
- India would not launch a nuclear weapon attack against any non-nuclear state.
- However, in the event of a major attack on India or on Indian forces anywhere by chemical or biological weapon, India will have the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons.
- The retaliatory 2nd strike to a first nuclear attack would be massive and would inflict unacceptable damage on the opponent
Presently India follows the 2003 Nuclear Doctrine.
Insta Links:
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Practice Questions:
Q. With reference to National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), consider the following statements:
- A person who is a Judge of the Supreme Court is also eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India.
- National Human Rights Amendment Act 2019 allows for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs for a period of 5 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Justification:
National Human Rights Amendment Act, 2019:
- Composition of NHRC: The chairperson of the NHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- The Act provides for 2 persons having knowledge of human rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC.
- Members of the NHRC: The chairpersons of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and National Commission for Women.
Chairperson of SHRC: A person who has been a Chief Justice of a High Court. - Term of office: The chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will hold office for 5 years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
- The Act allows for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs for a period of 5 years.
