India deploys active nuclear warheads: What changed in 2025?

📌 Summary:

• SIPRI''s new report (released Monday) finds India slightly expanded its nuclear stockpile to ~190 warheads as of January 2026 (up from 180), and developed new delivery systems
• For the first time, India may be deploying a small number (~12) of warheads mated to missiles in peacetime — a shift from its long-standing practice of storing warheads separately from launchers
• The shift is linked to canisterised missiles and sea-based deterrence (SSBN) patrols, suggesting India is moving toward mating some warheads with launchers
• Globally, nine nuclear-armed states held ~12,187 warheads at the start of 2026; ~9,745 in military stockpiles; nearly all belong to Russia and the USA
• Pakistan stable at ~170 warheads, developing its nascent nuclear triad (sea-leg still in testing); China expanded from 600 to ~620 warheads and may be mating warheads during peacetime exercises
• SIPRI flags two destabilising trends: nuclear-conventional entanglement (dual-capable missiles) and proliferation of MIRVs
• India''s modernisation increasingly targets long-range weapons capable of reaching all of China, though planning remains shaped by the Pakistan rivalry

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Science & Tech (nuclear/defence) and Internal/National Security — nuclear doctrine, credible minimum deterrence, second-strike capability via SSBNs, MIRV technology

📝 Prelims Facts:

• SIPRI = Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (independent, Sweden-based)
• Nine nuclear-armed states: US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel
• SSBN = nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (e.g., INS Arihant class); MIRV = Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle
• India follows a "No First Use" and credible minimum deterrence doctrine

🔑 Key Term: Nuclear triad — capability to deliver nuclear weapons by land (missiles), air (aircraft) and sea (submarines), ensuring assured second-strike capability