India is not a Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. India tested what it called a "peaceful nuclear explosive" in 1974 (which became known as "Smiling Buddha"). The test was the first test developed after the creation of the NPT, and created new questions about how civilian nuclear technology could be diverted secretly to weapons purposes (dual-use technology).
Though India maintained that its nuclear capability was primarily "peaceful", it apparently weaponized two dozen nuclear weapons for delivery by air between 1988 and 1990. But it was not until 1998 that India tested weaponized nuclear warheads ("Operation Shakti"), including a thermonuclear device.
And it is estimated that India has 80-100 nuclear warheads (might not be active).
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No, India is not nuclear-free. India possesses nuclear weapons and is recognized as a nuclear-armed state by the international community.
India has 85-100 nuclear warheads, around 15-20% of them aren't active.
India is estimated to have around 140-150 nuclear warheads in its current arsenal, according to various sources. India's nuclear weapons program is governed by a "no first use" policy, which means they pledge to only use nuclear weapons in retaliation to a nuclear attack.
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 to demonstrate its ability to develop nuclear weapons technology. The test, known as "Smiling Buddha," was considered a strategic move to establish India's nuclear deterrence capabilities in the region.
Countries with nuclear power include the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea. Many other countries also have operational nuclear power plants, with the total number of countries relying on nuclear power for electricity generation being around 30.