From Pokhran to Power Plants: Tracing the Evolution of Nuclear Policy in India

This research paper endeavors to comprehensively examine the nuanced trajectory of India's nuclear policy, unfolding from the watershed moment of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1974 to its subsequent evolution in the context of energy security and strategic considerations. The paper meticulously navigates through historical milestones, policy shifts, and geopolitical dynamics that have shaped India's nuclear stance over the decades. The Pokhran tests, marked by the codename "Smiling Buddha," represented a seminal point in India's pursuit of nuclear capabilities, altering its strategic calculus and ushering in an era of cautious self-reliance.