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.

When did India refuse to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)?

June 1996

The correct answer is Option 3 - June 1996

The Government of India refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 20 June 1996 at the Geneva Conference.

More information about CTBT:

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature on September 10, 1996.
The CTBT makes it mandatory for the countries that sign and ratify to not to carry out any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion.
India has historically been critical of the CTBT, particularly during the negotiation process in the 1990s.
India, along with Pakistan, refused to sign the treaty when it was opened for signature in 1996.
India's decision was driven partly by its dissatisfaction with the treaty's provisions and its perception of unequal treatment of nuclear-armed and non-nuclear-armed states.
The Government of India refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 20 June 1996 at the Geneva Conference.
India did not accept the CTBT since many other countries were reluctant to eliminate their nuclear weaponry.

Please note - India expressed its resistance to the NPT's indefinite extension in 1995 . It declined to sign the CTBT in 1996.