85 Seconds To Midnight: What Is The Doomsday Clock And Why The World Is Worried

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 15:05 IST

Whenever the world edges towards nuclear war or global crisis, one name resurfaces: the Doomsday Clock. What is this ticking warning, who created it, and what is it trying to tell?

The Doomsday Clock has once again drawn global attention. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) in the United States has set the clock to just 85 seconds before midnight, a symbolic signal that humanity is closer to catastrophe than ever before. Whenever the world faces nuclear tensions, major wars, or large-scale global crises, the Doomsday Clock inevitably returns to the headlines.

In simple terms, it is often described as the ‘clock of destruction’.

What Exactly Is The Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock is not a real timekeeping device. It is a symbolic warning system created to show how close humanity is to a global disaster of its own making. Midnight represents total catastrophe, while the minutes or seconds before midnight indicate how near or far the world is from that point.

Importantly, the clock does not predict the future. Instead, it reflects the direction humanity is heading based on its political, scientific, and technological choices.

Why Was It Created?

The Doomsday Clock was introduced in 1947, soon after World War II and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These events revealed the immense destructive power humans were capable of unleashing.

In response, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded, with the support of renowned scientists such as Albert Einstein and J Robert Oppenheimer. Its goal was to warn governments and the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons and to ensure that scientific voices played a role in global decision-making.

When the clock was first unveiled, it was set at 7 minutes before midnight.

Who Decides The Time On The Clock?

The position of the Doomsday Clock is determined by the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This panel includes Nobel Prize winners, nuclear physicists, climate scientists, and experts in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and global security.

They review major world events each year, or after significant global developments, and decide whether the clock should move forward or backward based on scientific analysis.

What Threats Does The Clock Measure Today?

Initially, the Doomsday Clock focused solely on the danger of nuclear war. Over time, its scope has expanded significantly. Today, it reflects a wide range of interconnected global threats, including:

Nuclear weapons and weapons testingWars and escalating conflicts between nationsBreakdown of arms control agreementsClimate change and environmental collapseBiological threats such as pandemicsArtificial intelligence and emerging technologiesCyber warfare and digital insecurity

The Most Dangerous And Safest Moments

The safest point in the clock’s history came in 1991, after the end of the Cold War, when it was set 17 minutes before midnight.

The most dangerous period is the present one. From 2024 to 2025, the clock has been set at just 85 seconds to midnight, the closest humanity has ever come to symbolic disaster.

What Message Does The Doomsday Clock Send?

The message is stark and unmistakable. Scientists behind the clock emphasise that:

Nuclear weapons must be controlledWar is not a solution to global problemsTechnology without ethical responsibility can be extremely dangerousThe climate crisis cannot be ignored or delayed

The warning is directed not only at governments, but also at societies and individuals worldwide.

Is There Still Hope?

Yes. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists stresses that the clock is meant to warn, not terrify. Scientists believe that meaningful steps, such as renewed arms control agreements, ending wars, responsible governance of AI and technology, strong climate action, and the protection of democratic institutions, can push the clock back.

The Doomsday Clock serves as both a warning and a mirror. As science and technology grow more powerful, the responsibility to use them wisely becomes even greater.

Midnight may be alarmingly close, but experts insist that there is still time to change course, if humanity chooses to act.

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