India has opposed international treaties focused on non-proliferation due to their selective application towards non-nuclear nations, effectively endorsing the nuclear monopoly held by the five established nuclear powers. Consequently, India expressed its resistance to the NPT's indefinite extension in 1995 and declined to sign the CTBT. In May 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests, showcasing its capacity for military nuclear utilization. Pakistan responded with its own tests, heightening regional nuclear tensions. The international community strongly criticized these tests, resulting in sanctions that were later lifted. India's nuclear doctrine centres on a credible minimum nuclear deterrence, emphasizing a commitment to "no first use" and advocating for global, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament for a world free from nuclear weapons.

Assertion: India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996.
Reason: India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1988, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.

The Assertion is correct but the Reason is incorrect.

The answer is: Option 4: The Assertion is correct but the Reason is incorrect.

Here's a breakdown:

• Assertion: India did oppose the indefinite extension of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) in 1995 and refused to sign the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) in 1996. This is true. Thus, the assertion is correct.

• Reason: India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1988, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. This statement is incorrect. Indian conducted nuclear tests in May 1998 and not May 1988 as mentioned in the reasoning.

NCERT: India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers. Thus, India opposed the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995 and also refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996.

India conducted a series of nuclear tests in May 1998, demonstrating its capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes. Pakistan soon followed, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the region to a nuclear exchange. The international community was extremely critical of the nuclear tests in the subcontinent and sanctions were imposed on both India and Pakistan, which were subsequently waived. India’s nuclear doctrine of credible minimum nuclear deterrence professes “no first use” and reiterates India’s commitment to global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear weapons-free world.