PSIR daily current affairs Theory + examples 5th December 2025
PSIR daily current affairs Theory + examples 5th December 2025
Namaskar PSIR daily current affairs Theory + examples 5th December 2025
Topic : The Nuclear Chessboard (ORF article)
Syllabus linkage:
PYQs linkage:
- Discuss the evolution of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the post-cold war period. 15(2016)
- “The development of advanced missile technology and nuclear threat by North Korea has challenged the American hegemony in South-East Asia”. Evaluate the above statement in the context of recent developments in the region. 20(2017)
- Discuss the implications of the Trump-Kim Singapore Summit on the prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. 15(2018)
- Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did Nuclear Deterrence prevent a superpower war? 15 (2015)
- Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence theory in the context of the recent standoff between India and Pakistan. 10(2019)
- Theory application: Nuclear deterrence, MAD,
Nuclear deterrence: ability to deter one’s adversaries from engaging in military provocation or conventional attack.
- Concepts and keywords: strategic counterbalance, crossing the nuclear threshold, full spectrum deterrence using strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, mutual destruction, nuclear peace, nuclear age, arms control, denuclearize,
- Important facts:
- The USA has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing since 1992.
- CTBT has been signed by 187 states and ratified by 178, but has not been entered into force because India, Pakistan and North Korea have not signed the treaty.
- China’s nuclear arsenal around 600 warheads
- The USA and Russia have a total inventory of over 5000 nukes and a deployed inventory of 1700 nukes each.
- New START treaty expires in February 2026
- Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:
Challenges to the efforts of nuclear non-proliferation: :
Four different situations after Trump announcement:
| Type of test | Nature | Other remarks |
| Explosive test | Result in seismic yield | Easily detected by the global network of seismic stations |
| Super critical test | Self sustaining chain reaction is created
(considered nuclear explosion under CTBT) May not result in seismic yield |
The US accused China of conducting “Super critical” Hydro nuclear tests. (Violation of CTBT) |
| Subcritical test | Conducted rountinely to ensure the reliability of nuclear weapons through laser and supercomputers | |
| Testing of nuclear delivery systems | Russia did recently |
Nuclear proliferation (Arms race) :
- Russia tested Burevestnik missile, and nuclear-weapon-armed Poseidon underwater drone. (Nuclear delivery systems)
- Trump announced to renew testing of nuclear weapons.
- Putin said that if the US resumed testing, Russia, too, would follow suit. (classic example of security dilemma and arms race)
- Since 2020, China has more than doubled its nuclear arsenal to around 600 warheads and is adding roughly 100 warheads each year.
- A Congressional Commission recommended in 2023 that the US expand its nuclear arsenal because of the Chinese buildup. (again security dilemma)
- The 27th constitutional amendment in Pakistan, which has given exclusive control of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal to Field Marshal Asim Munir.
- At Trump’s instance, the US is working on the Golden Dome missile defence project that would include space-based sensors and attack satellites. specialists argue that this could actually give a fillip to a new arms race.
Arms control in crisis:
- Vagueness of talks: (This is what neo liberal fears in absence of institutional mechanism, there is no improvements in state of affairs)
- Trump said that he was “working on a plan to denuclearize” with China, Russia, and the US.(Few details are known)
- Steady demise of treaties signed between the US and Russia
- China categorically denied to participate in any denuclearisation efforts.
Download the document:
December 5th 2025 PSIR daily current affairs (1)