International Day against Nuclear Tests

International Day against Nuclear Tests is held on 29 August every year. This day is observed to create awareness about the harmful effects of testing nuclear weapons and also calls to end such tests.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about International Day against Nuclear Tests to get the basic information. It can be asked in UPSC Prelims from the section of current affairs, if at all asked.

Facts about International Day against Nuclear Tests for UPSC Exam

Read the below-mentioned facts and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About International Day against Nuclear Tests

• The Year 2021 marked the 12th anniversary since the day was first observed.
• The objective of celebrating the day globally is to increase awareness about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Background of International Day against Nuclear Tests

• The day was established when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)  adopted the resolution 64/35 on December 2, 2009, in its 64th session. 
• This resolution was initiated by Kazakhstan to mark the 18th anniversary of the closing of the USSR-controlled Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in 1991 at Kazakhstan.
• The first-ever International Day against Nuclear Tests was commemorated on 29 August, 2010.

Significance of International Day against Nuclear Tests

• The importance of the day is that it aims to galvanize the United Nations, Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the media to inform, educate and advocate the necessity of banning nuclear weapon tests and to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world.

Also read about the Non – Proliferation Treaty in the linked article.

First Nuclear Test

• The United States Army conducted the first nuclear test, called Trinity, in a desert site of New Mexico on July 16, 1945. 
• This resulted in atom bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, which led to more than 200,000 casualties and the survivors suffered from cancers due to radiation. 
• Nuclear tests by the USA and USSR led to the Cold War that continued till 1991. 
• About 2000 nuclear test explosions were conducted between 1945 and 1996.

Also, read about Pokhran II in the linked article.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

CTBT was created by UNGA in 1996 to curb the development of new nuclear weapons and the improvement of existing nuclear weapon designs. It was signed and ratified by 170 nations.

Read more about CTBT in the linked article.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

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