Nuclear forces are

The correct answer is Option (1) → Strong, short range and charge independent.

The nuclear force binds protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus against the Coulomb repulsion between protons.

Option (1) Strong, short range and charge independent. — Correct. It is the strongest of the fundamental forces at nuclear distances, its range is only a few femtometres, and it acts equally between two neutrons, two protons or a neutron and a proton (charge independent).

Option (2) Attractive, long range and charge independent. — Incorrect. The nuclear force is short range; it becomes negligible beyond a few femtometres.

Option (3) Strong, attractive and charge dependent. — Incorrect. It does not depend on charge.

Option (4) Strong, short range and repulsive — Incorrect. It is attractive at the usual separation of nucleons and becomes repulsive only at very small distances (below about 0.8 fm), so it cannot be described simply as repulsive.

NCERT (2026-27):
Summary – “… Neutrons and protons are bound in a nucleus by the short-range strong nuclear force. The nuclear force does not distinguish between neutron and proton.”