Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests On May 11, 1998 Showed India’s ‘Shakti’ To World: A Recap Amid PM Modi’s Remarks

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 14:38 IST

What were Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests conducted on May 11, 1998? What was impact? What did PM Modi say on Monday? Why is May 11 celebrated as National Technology Day? News18 explains

May 11 marks the 28th anniversary of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests. On this day in 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, followed by two more on May 13. Codenamed Operation Shakti, these tests officially established India as a nuclear-capable nation—the sixth in the world to join the “Nuclear Club".

All you need to know.

What PM Modi said on Monday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that no power in the world can force India to bow down, as he recalled the country’s 1998 nuclear tests in Pokhran.

“On May 11th, the first three nuclear tests were conducted. Our scientists, the champions of India, showcased India’s capabilities to the entire world. It sent shockwaves across the globe. Various sanctions were imposed…But on May 13th, two more nuclear tests were conducted. That demonstrated to the world just how unwavering India’s political will truly is. At that time, the entire world’s pressure was on India. Yet, under the leadership of Atal-ji, the BJP government demonstrated that for us, the Nation comes first. No power on earth can make India bow down; no power can force it to yield to pressure…," said the PM.

All about the Pokhran-II tests

The Pokhran-II tests, codenamed Operation Shakti, were a series of five nuclear bomb explosions conducted by India in May 1998. This operation was the culmination of decades of research and marked India’s official entry into the global “nuclear club" as the sixth nation to declare nuclear capabilities.

The operation was split into two groups and conducted under total secrecy to avoid detection by international satellites:

MAY 11: Three devices were detonated simultaneously:

Shakti I: A two-stage thermonuclear device (hydrogen bomb).

Shakti II: A standard fission device (atom bomb).

Shakti III: A sub-kiloton experimental device.

MAY 13: Two additional sub-kiloton devices (Shakti IV and V) were detonated to gather data for computer simulations.

Who were in the team?

The project was a massive collaboration between the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and DAE (Department of Atomic Energy).

Key Leaders:

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: The Chief Coordinator and Scientific Adviser to the PM. He famously wore an army uniform at the site to maintain cover, using the alias “Major General Prithviraj".

Dr R Chidambaram: Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission; he was the primary scientific architect of the nuclear devices.

Dr Anil Kakodkar: Director of BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre), who played a vital role in the technical execution.

Colonel Gopal Kaushik: Commander of the 58th Engineer Regiment, which was responsible for digging the shafts and maintaining site security.

Supporting Experts (BARC):

Dr SK Sikka: Lead for thermonuclear weapon development.

Dr MS Ramakumar: Head of nuclear component manufacturing.

Dr K Santhanam: Director of test site preparations for DRDO.

Why was it historic?

Secrecy: The team worked only at night or during periods of heavy cloud cover totrick US spy satellites.

Political Will: Vajpayee authorized the tests within weeks of taking office, despite knowing it would lead to heavy international sanctions.

Why this day matters

Since 1999, May 11 has been celebrated as National Technology Day to honour the scientists and engineers behind these tests.

Beyond the nuclear tests, May 11, 1998, also saw the successful test flight of the indigenous Hansa-3 aircraft and the test firing of the Trishul missile.

What was the impact of the tests?

The tests were a massive statement of indigenous technological prowess, conducted despite intense international surveillance and subsequent economic sanctions.

The success of Pokhran-II eventually paved the way for major international agreements, including the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal.

KEY FAQs

What was Pokhran-II?

Pokhran-II was a series of 5 underground nuclear tests conducted by India on May 11 and 13, 1998, at Pokhran in Rajasthan.

Why were the tests important?

They declared India as a nuclear weapons-capable nation and demonstrated its scientific and strategic strength, code-named Operation Shakti.

Who led the mission?

The tests were led under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with key scientific roles played by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and R. Chidambaram.

With agency inputs

News explainers Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests On May 11, 1998 Showed India’s ‘Shakti’ To World: A Recap Amid PM Modi’s Remarks

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